A POPULAR play area in Evesham has been closed to allow contractors to give it a facelift.

The play area on the town's Crown Meadow is to have a games theme design on the new surface including hopscotch, and a new roundabout and seating is to be installed.

The area, which was closed last week, is likely to remain shut until tomorrow, depending on the weather.

Wychavon's District Council's parks officer, Lynn Stevens said: "This is a popular play area and we hope these improvements will make it even better for everyone. For the short time it is shut children can use the nearby play facility in Abbey Park."

She added that the children from St Andrew's School will be the first to play on the improved facility when it officially opens on October 22 because they helped to choose the games featured in the design. The replacement safety surface is being funded by the Government's Liveability Fund.