THE Council has today announced the winning design for the new playground at Ivydene in west Reading.

A consultation, launched in May, put the choice of five playground designs to the public vote.

SEE MORE: PLAYGROUND SET FOR £100K OVERHAUL

Letters were written to residents living near the playground, and the shortlisted designs were on display at Rivermead Leisure Centre and Wilson Primary School, with children at the school and those attending Rivermead voting on their preferred option.

Residents also voted online.

More than 800 votes were received in total, with the winning design, number 2 from Kompan, receiving more than half of the votes.

It was also overwhelmingly the favourite choice of the school children.

Comments on the winning design included: 'I like it because it is suitable for all ages and has a range of different equipment,' and 'Looks like the best design – more fun things for children and not too crowded.'

Ivydene play area, located next to Portman Road in west Reading, has been earmarked for a £100K investment.

It is anticipated that the work will start on site in September and ready for use by the half term week in October.

The existing play area will be closed while the refurbishment is undertaken.

The winning design is now on display at Rivermead Leisure Centre during opening hours, at Wilson Primary School and online at www.reading.gov.uk/Ivydene.

Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading’s lead member for culture, heritage and recreation, said: "I'm delighted to announce the winning design from Kompan – which has proved overwhelmingly the most popular choice and a clear winner with our voters.

"I'm really pleased that we are able to put such a significant sum into Ivydene.

"It is one of our key priorities that we provide high quality equipment in as many of our playgrounds as possible so that children of all abilities can play together and we are delighted this design delivers so positively on that aspect.

"Understanding what our children want in terms of play spaces just makes common sense, and I'm really pleased we’ve been able to ensure this by engaging local school children in voting for their favourite design.

"Furthermore, I am eager to always ensure that play equipment is advised by children of all abilities and I am looking to progressing the ways in which we engage with those children and families who have special needs situations to be an integral part of our play provision allocation processes.

"Following feedback, we included a comments section in the Ivydene consultation.

"We will be continuing to listen to the feedback we have received and ensuring that these conversations aid our ongoing ambition to improve our playground offer for as wide of range of abilities as we can."

The new equipment is designed for toddlers and children up to the age of 12, and will provide accessible equipment for children of all abilities.