PLANS for a new play park in Lyme Regis have been unanimously approved by councillors.

The decision follows a public consultation event last month, where Lyme Regis Town Council exhibited seven design options for the Anning Road play park.

A report presented to members at a full council meeting said there was a 'clear favourite' amongst consultation attendees.

Design four from Eibe Play received 40 votes - more than double the amount its closest competitor received.

Feedback from those attending the consultation suggested extra shaded seating, a zip-wire and roundabout were needed at a cost of another £16,275.

In a full meeting of Lyme Regis town council members were told the Play Park Fundraising Association wanted to fund the shaded seating.

Councillors discussed potential grants from Magna and Palmers Brewery, but it was suggested the council could contribute £10,032 of the remaining costs themselves.

Cllr Lucy Campbell said: "I think it's really important that we support what the community wants.

"It's great that we might be able to get funding...but this council is in a position to offer that.

"It's the sort of thing this council should be providing."

Cllr Michaela Ellis added: "We have to fund the Anning Road play park development, and if we do get the extra funding as well, we should use it to provide more seating, the extra zipwire and the roundabout."

Cllr Mark Gage supported the development, but encouraged councillors to think beyond the Anning Road development.

He said: "This is one part of our community...and the skatepark will soon need the support of our council too - these are not either-or things."

Councillors unanimously voted in favour of a proposal to award the development contract to Eibe Play with all of the suggested improvements.

The play park was chosen as an 'important priority' for the town council this year, out of a list of 17 other possible projects.

In 2013 the play park was the subject of complaints over dangerous and poorly-designed equipment, and councillors' decision is the culmination of months of work and discussion over the original £100,000 proposals to improve the site.