Three Stoke-on-Trent play areas are out of use this week while a £500,000 scheme to repair and refresh them starts.

Phase one of the work to create more welcoming spaces for children and families began on Monday (28 July) at play areas on Meaford Drive in Blurton, Falcon Road in Meir Park as well as at Bengry Park in Normacot.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council says improvements will include cleaning, painting, and repairing play equipment.

Phase one of the work will be for minor repairs, cleaning and painting, with phase two focusing on repairing and replacing broken equipment through specialist contractors.

Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride, enforcement and sustainability at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "Stoke-on-Trent has a great network of parks and playgrounds and we're incredibly proud of our outdoor green spaces.

The play area at the end of Meaford Drive in Blurton. (Google)

"They're enjoyed by so many and help form part of a child's early development through exercise and social contact, so it's important that we continue to improve them and make sure they're fit for purpose.

"This investment will make a real difference to families across the city and help ensure our playgrounds remain great places to enjoy."

But Stoke-on-Trent South MP, Allison Gardner, is calling on the council to go further and expand the scheme to improve other play areas in her constituency.

She said on social media: "[I'm] really pleased to see the news of £500,000 being spent to refurbish park equipment across Stoke-on-Trent, and that the first three to be refurbished are in my patch.

"However, I have now written to the council, requesting that parks in Meir North and South be included in the scheme."

Phase one of the work will be for minor repairs, cleaning and painting, with phase two focusing on repairing and replacing broken equipment through specialist contractors, the city council has confirmed.