Children now have a new playground in their village - thanks to a teenager who led the campaign to raise £41,000 to refurbish it.

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Jade Sandy, whose family lives in Old Hunstanton, led the campaign to raise funds to bring the village's small play area up-to-date.

It was officially opened by scores of children at an opening party at the playground, which featured a performance by the Hunstanton Concert Band and a guest appearance by Peppa Pig.

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Norfolk's Vice Lord-Lieutenant Lady Romney officially opened the park, off Sea Lane.

'Three years ago, when I was 13, I approached the local parish council to ask whether it might be possible to update the play areas,' said Jade. 'There was a double swing, baby slide and rusty see-saw, but these badly need replacing with new equipment.'

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

When councils were approached for funding, they said there was no money available.

'Subsequently a committee was formed to develop the idea, surveying the local community about how they would like to see the site developed,' said Jade.

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

'Now, after two years of fundraising and a lot of hard work from the committee, the new robinia wood play equipment is installed. Children who live in the village and nearby, plus the many children who enjoy the local coastline every year, now have somewhere safe, inspiring and enjoyable to play. This project has been a fantastic success and a great example of how a community can pull together and make things happen.'

Supporters of fund raising events held in support of the project included Anna Hallard, Hartbeeps party, Mandy Pooley, village bingo, guided walk of Hunstanton Hall Estate, Old Hunstanton Flower Festival, Champagne party, David Reeve, Amusing Police Stories talk, Glebe House School, bucket collection at a car boot sale, Hunstanton Concert Band Christmas concert. Other events and supporters helped along the way, but there are too many to mention or they have requested not to be mentioned.

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

The project was also funded by the Parochial Church Council, local masonic lodges, Tesco Bags of Help, Geoffrey Watling Charity, Old Hunstanton Parish Council, Shelroy Charitable Trust, Paul Bassham Charitable Trust and Hunstanton and District Ladies Circle.

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Official opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian BurtOfficial opening of the children's playground in Old Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)