CIVIC chiefs have launched a major overhaul of play areas with a six-figure investment.

Fareham Borough Council will invest more than £500,000 in revamping 20 play areas across the borough.

Under the plans, which will include play areas in Portchester, Fareham, Swanwick and Locks Heath, the playgrounds will receive a variety of upgrades ranging from new equipment such as climbing walls and basket swings to the repainting of existing equipment.

Funding for the scheme would come from the council’s community infrastructure levy contribution fund.

Alongside this, Funtley and Warsash village play areas will also be given a facelift with new multi climbing units, climbing walls and gym equipment in a separate scheme.

In a statement, Fareham Borough Council, said: “The opportunity for children and young people to play creatively in good quality environments is essential to their development.

“Through play, they acquire skills and abilities which can’t be learnt in any other way.

“It is therefore important for the council to continue to provide good quality play facilities within an easy walking distance of residents and to ensure all children and young people in the borough have access to this development opportunity.”

At the same time, the council has also launched a consultation to give children the chance to design a new play area at Laurel Grove in Fareham town centre.

The consultation consists of an online game which will allow children of all ages to select three pieces of toddler and junior style equipment and place them in a desired location on a plain CGI diagram of the playground.

The design will then be automatically saved as a consultation response.

Councillor Sue Bell, executive member for leisure and community at the council, added: “This is a great opportunity for families to help design a brand new play area.

“The comments and ideas we receive will help us to work with a company and build a play area that will cater for different ages and abilities, allowing children and their families to have fun for years to come.”

The consultation closes on Friday, March 30.