A number of new and revamped recreation facilities - including a new skatepark at Parks Leisure Centre, North Shields - have been unveiled by North Tyneside Council (NTC).

The skatepark, which was designed with the help of skaters from the local area, include a range of features such as a rainbow grind rail and pole jam, a curved hubba and a taco pool and tombstone. Meanwhile, the area's first fully-staffed adventure playground is due to open later this summer in Shiremoor, while a further ten play sites have undergone improvements.

Funding for the play improvements came via the government's Play Pathfinder scheme, which saw NTC allocated £2.5m over a two-year period. The Big Lottery Fund, Local Area Agreement funding, Youth Capital Funding and Section 106 agreements also helped to meet the cost of the schemes.

NTC cabinet member for community services and safer neighbourhoods, Glynis Barrie, said: "We are committed to providing more places to go and things to do for our young people."