Quinn Automatic has started construction work on the development of two play parks in Ballymagroarty and Kilfennan, Co L'Derry.

The schemes have been jointly funded by the Social Investment Fund under the NI Executive's Delivering Social Change framework, and the Council through its Parks Development Programme.

The projects, which are worth a combined total of £1.7m, are the result of a collaborative working relationship between Council, the Executive Office, the Caw/Nelson Drive Action Group and Ballymagroarty Community Association.

A spokesperson from the Executive Office said: "The Executive Office welcomes this latest progress on the Ballymagroarty and Kilfennan projects which will make a tangible difference to young people's lives and help build a better, brighter and more prosperous future for them.

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"This builds on the progress of the Ballyarnett and Brandywell projects which have contractors on site and which together form the Invest in Play project. This project is a good example of the positive changes that are possible when we work closely with local government and the local community to pool our ideas and resources.

"These projects empower local people and provide the entire community with a renewed sense of hope and purpose."

Christy Daniels from the Ballymagroarty Community Association said: "There is significant excitement in the Ballmagroarty area to see the start of work on this much anticipated project.

"We are an area of high deprivation and lack adequate community facilities so the play park will help fill that void for local families.

"The Community Association and other community ground have campaigned for years for this project so it is particularly pleasing for them to see their hopes for the area begin to become a reality."

(CD/LM)