Hippo Leisure has put the pizzazz into the poolside at Concordia Leisure Centre, in Cramlington, Northumberland.

The winning design from Hippo was felt to be innovative, functional and - most importantly - had the best kid appeal.

It combines low and high level features with bright, vibrant colours to create water action in two main areas. Mixing different interactive elements provides an inclusive play scenario for all ages and abilities.

With more than 45 active water points, Hippo’s Waterball is positioned on the poolside, linked to a large splash bucket by a 3m span arm housing fish showers, tipping buckets and a resident pelican providing themed water fun. Hand wheels on the Waterball control the direction of the water squirts and create the water supply to the Fill N Spill buckets ready to be hand tipped and the water released.

The second area replaces an old planter between the main leisure pool and the children's pool, creating a platform for a toddler play area.

Interconnecting playful fish squirts with cascading water channels allow the children to twist and turn the paddles to control the water flow from the channels into the pool. A high level water arch provides more action over the pool itself with tipping bucket and water wheel combinations.

The surface directly surrounding the play equipment has been finished with an Aquatrol impregnated safety surface providing a non-slip, impact absorbing surface for safe wet play.