CHILDREN and parents were celebrating yesterday after the first of more than 50 refurbished playgrounds on Oxford opened.

The city council is spending £2.5m to modernise 52 playgrounds over the next two years.

The first to reopen after its facelift has been moved from the end of Helen Road, in West Oxford, to a site next to West Oxford Community Centre.

It includes roundabouts, rockers, swings and monkey bars, as well as facilities for disabled children.

Dozens of youngsters turned up for the opening.

Hugo Crombie, of Oatlands Road, took his daughter Frankie, nine.

He said: “She’s had a great time giving all the equipment a thorough test. She’s already expressed an interest in coming regularly.

“There’s a lot of good equipment and it’s a very sensible place to have a play area.”

Frankie, who attends West Oxford Primary School, said: “I like the springy things and the big tyre thing and the monkey bars. I love monkey bars.”

Grandmother-of-five Sally Roberts, from Osney Island, arrived with grandchildren Joe, 10, and Eve, four.

She said: “It’s lovely and especially nice because it’s near the café. I think it will be really popular in the summer.”

Joe, a pupil at North Hinksey Primary School, said: “It’s better than the old playground.”

Suzanne Jeffrey, also from Osney Island, watched her children Fiona, four, and Gregor, two, enjoy the swings.

She said: “There’s something for the little ones and the older ones as well.

“It’s fabulous. It’s much better than the old play area. It was getting a bit old and tatty.”

The city’s Lord Mayor, Susanna Pressel, who represents the Jericho and Osney ward, cut the ribbon at the reopening ceremony.

She said: “It’s wonderful the play area has been completed in time for Easter. It’s in a safer location, which is more convenient for people to use, and the equipment looks excellent.

“I’m sure many local children will love using the facility.”