Children and parents in Hitchin are looking forward to having a splash park on their doorstep after North Herts District Council confirmed the £160,000 project will start this autumn.

Work on the splash park at Bancroft Recreation Ground is expected to take up to eight weeks but is not due to open until late spring 2016 to coincide with better weather.

Councillor Jane Gray, responsible for leisure at the council, said: “We know after extensive consultation with the communities of Hitchin one of the things people really want for their local parks is an interactive water splash feature.

“We are now in a position to develop those exciting plans and we want to encourage everyone in the community to have their say on the proposals.”

Conrad Braganza, who lives in the nearby Bunyan Road, said: “My 10-year-old daughter Ellie and her friends are really looking forward to having the splash park on our doorstep in Bancroft.”

The council is seeking comments on the type of activities and play equipment to be provided, and the age group of the children the new equipment should cater for.

To comment on the proposals before the April 10 deadline search for ‘splash parks’ at www.north-herts.gov.uk.

Similar work is also planned for Priory Memorial Gardens in Royston.