Contractors have been selected to develop new play parks in the Ballyarnett and Brandywell areas in Co L'Derry.

The projects are part of Derry City and Strabane District Council's Invest in Play Project, jointly funded from the Social Investment Fund (SIF) which is part of the Executive's Delivering Social Change Framework.

As well as the Brandywell and Ballyarnett projects, new play facilities are planned for Kilfennan Valley Park and at Ballymagroarty Community Centre later in the year following a tender process this summer.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock, confirmed work will start in the coming weeks.

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She said: "This is a key part of our ongoing commitment to providing play provision around the City and District and to actively encourage healthy choices.

"The play parks are in addition to the Playing Pitches Project which also received funding from SIF and has already seen work starting at Brandywell Stadium and Design Teams being appointed for the Leafair and Corrody Road sites."

Ciara Ferguson, Greater Shantallow Area Partnership, said: "The Programme is a locally developed pilot employment initiative designed to help those deemed furthest from the labour market to develop and enhance their skills and increase their employability.

"It consists of three keys components: exposure to meaningful work experience through a two-year paid placement, the opportunity to complete valuable educational qualifications and skills training and intensive mentoring and personal support.

"To date 102 long term unemployed have secured a two-year paid work placement with forty-two local host employers based across all areas of the city, both urban and rural.

"In addition, over 80% have gained an accredited educational qualification and approximately 85% have achieved at least one accredited training qualification. The spend to date is £1.554,347.67."

(CD)