A new accessible playground has opened at a Northumberland museum after a test run by children from The Dales School in Blyth.
Woodhorn Museum went to the drawing board to make its play area more accessible to families after receiving feedback that it wasn't suitable for all children.
This has led to refurbishment with new accessible play equipment, including a pairs game to build memory skills; a ferraphone to introduce music and sound; a cradle nest swing that has space for more than one child; a conference station to enable children to communicate across the play site; and a wheelchair accessible rotating plate.
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The path to the play area has also been made wheelchair accessible, while closer seating allows parents to supervise their children.
It is hoped that the new equipment will help children interact and learn through movement, sound, vision and memory - as well as having fun!
More than £77,000 was raised to create the new play area, with more than £50,000 coming from the SUEZ Communities Trust and The Ridley Family Charity.
Ashington Town Council and Ecclesiastical Insurance Group donated £10,000 each, while the remaining £2,500 came from a Crowdfunder campaign, where 55 donations were made.
Rowan Brown, Chief Executive of Museums Northumberland, said: " By expanding our existing play area to include more inclusive play equipment, we can ensure that all children can benefit from visiting our museum, and have the opportunity to learn about our county’s stories."
"It’s important that people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities have the chance to experience our museums, and thanks to the generous donations we’ve received, we’re able to improve facilities at Woodhorn Museum so more children and families can benefit from learning about Northumberland’s rich history."
Cllr Mark Purvis, Chair of Ashington Town Council, said: "Ashington Town Council has been a proud supporter and funder of activities at Woodhorn Museum for a number of years now.
"The Council was delighted at this time to be able to support this excellent and highly commendable play area expansion project.
"The addition of modern, imaginative and fully inclusive play equipment is so important in both creating and expanding opportunities for children of all abilities."
