A £3.5m project to transform play areas across Ipswich will create an 'imagination island' in Holywells Park.

The park's play area is the third to be chosen for a revamp.

The transformation will replace the aging equipment with items that explore water and wells throughout the park. 

New equipment will include a rope bridge, climbing tower, slide and ability swing. 

The new play area will be located in the same place as the current area and will be closed to the public from November 1. 

Robin Gape, chair of the Friends of Holywells Park, said: "The tall rope climbing frame has been a good friend in the Holywells Park Play Area for the last 15 years and sadly, it is now time to say goodbye.

"A new set of play area equipment will take the place of the old, with a heightened attention to inclusion.

“The revived play area should offer something for even more kids than before, including a quiet area. The Friends of Holywells Park warmly welcome the commitment from Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) to make a considerable investment in the future of the Play Area.

“When the play area re-opens, hopefully in February next year, kids should have a lot of fun exploring the new equipment and layout. And when the weather gets warmer, then the water feature will be there as before.

It is part of Ipswich Borough Council's play area strategy for 2022 to 2027, with improvements planned for 45 play areas across Ipswich.

The first play transformation was completed at Castle Hill, complete with the county's first accessibility swing opened earlier this month.

Councillor Phil Smart, Ipswich Borough Council portfolio holder for environment and climate change, said: “I am really pleased to see that despite only recently approving our new Play Area Strategy, that we are making such good progress on play area improvements.

“The play area at Holywells Park is much loved by the local community and we are looking forward to unveiling a brand-new play facility that people of all ages and abilities from across Ipswich can enjoy.

“I would encourage everyone to make use of the current facilities during the October half term as due to the location of the play area, we do have to shut the current facility while the works take place which means they will be unavailable for use from Tuesday 1 November.”