A bench and a disability-friendly picnic bench will be bought for Newtown’s second largest play park to help families to get out and enjoy outdoors.

Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Councillors voted to use the Covid-19 recovery fund to buy and install one standard bench and one picnic bench at Maesyrhandir play park.

The project is estimated to cost £1,353 which will include the benches, plaques and concrete for the bases.

Cllr Les Skilton said: “The changes we have experienced over the 15 months due to Covid we have noticed an increase in the use of the park with families staying local.

“It’s great news that families are using the park but it has highlighted that there is only one bench and with increase use it would be great if there were more provision for seating.”

The motion was put forward at a recent town council meeting by Cllr Richard Edwards.

He said: “I have met with County Cllr Les Skilton and residents of Maesyrhandir and Garth Owen at Maesyrhandir playpark. They are requesting more seating for the playpark as currently the is only one bench and they feel this is not enough for the amount of people who use the area.”

Councillors were told that just over £5,500 remained in the Covid-19 recovery fund.