Fire causes 'irreparable damage' to £70k play tower

A children's play tower in a public park which was opened in the summer will need to be replaced at a cost of tens of thousands of pounds after being destroyed by a fire.

The facility in Chantry Park, in Ipswich, was officially opened by the borough council just before the August bank holiday for children aged up to 14.

But, less than four months on, a fire – which Suffolk Police said it as aware of - has caused "irreparable damage" to the site's play tower and surrounding blue surface, which is meant to represent a lake.

The remains have since been removed and the area has been fenced off while the installation of a replacement takes place over several weeks and at a cost of £70,000.

"We are working quickly to put things right," said councillor Lucy Trenchard, Ipswich Borough Council portfolio holder for parks and climate change.

"We were delighted to open a space for children to have fun and be creative earlier this year and we are deeply saddened that part of this has been destroyed.

"The remaining play area has been thoroughly inspected and professionally cleaned and has been reopened after being deemed safe for use."

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.