A GB athlete has joined pupils, councillors and the deputy lieutenant to open a brand new park in Hamble.
The new Mount Pleasant Play Area in Hamble has been officially opened by Hamble Parish Council with special guest Iwan Gwyn Thomas MBE.
Following a two-month closure, the brand new play area, which sits next to the Hamble Primary School, is anticipated to be very popular, particularly before and after schooltime.
Sports presenter Iwan Thomas, who represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the Olympic Games in the 400 metres and lives in Hamble, joined pupils, councillors and more in the beautiful sunshine to open the park.
He said: "It is amazing. My boy goes to the school (Hamble Primary), and before he broke his arm, he was at the park nearly every day.
"I just think it is really good for the kids to burn some energy before and after school.
"It is a great facility, and it is genuinely a really good school."
"I think the kids really deserve it."
Iwan joked that as a child, his parents used to drop him off at the local park to burn off his excess energy, and that is part of what made him such a great athlete.
The park was officially opened by Deputy Lieutenant Jon Whitaker who cut a giant paper chain made by the children, who then cheered as they dashed to enjoy the new equipment.
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Chair of Hamble Primary School Governors Lynn Whitaker said: "I think it is amazing, and it is what we needed. The old one was falling to bits.
"It gets used at both ends of the day and is very popular. I think they will make really good use of it.
"It is really important for the kids to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and burn excess energy."
Chair of Hamble Parish Council Chris Jones gave a speech prior to the opening of the park.
He said: "It was desperately needed and it is no surprise it is going to be a great success.
"Hamble is a fabulous place to live, grow up and play."
The pupils also made a sign and a play pledge for the new park, which includes multiple sets of swings, a climbing frame with a slide, and even a zipline.
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