WYCHAVON District Council has splashed out £180,000 on new water play areas for children in Evesham and Pershore.

The state-of-the-art play facilities, funded by the Government, are now being built in both towns' Abbey parks and are expected to be fully functioning in time for the summer holidays.

The computer-controlled pools work by squirting up water in random sequences when pressure pads are stepped on. The one in Evesham has the theme of the riverbank while the one is in Pershore takes the Abbey's tradition of music as its inspiration.

Lynn Stevens, the council's parks officer, promised to do everything she could to make sure the parks were open in time for the summer holidays.

"They are great fun and children really enjoy playing in them. They are also very inclusive - youngsters of whatever ability can enjoy them."

Evesham mayor Frances Smith said the new play area would be a welcome addition to the town. "I'm very pleased to see it.

"Anything to help children play more safely has got to be a bonus for Evesham. Hopefully it will also attract more visitors to the town," she said.

The money for play areas was awarded to the council by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Liveability Fund via the Worcestershire Green Spaces Partnership.

It is expected that in the future the play areas will open from May to September, depending on the weather.

The schemes also include fencing, landscaping and seating areas.