Children's ideas have been used in a major upgrade of play areas.

Seven sites are being redesigned and improved in a £280,000 Harborough District Council programme.

The council is replacing ageing play equipment after speaking to parish councils and children about what they wanted to see introduced. The move follows a similar scheme, which saw a £300,000 transformation of the play area in Welland Park, in Market Harborough.

As well as new play equipment, the improvements incorporated landscaping, including mounding, boulders and planting. The improvements are at Lutterworth, Fleckney, Great Glen, Market Harborough and Thurnby.

Thurnby's Manor Field play area has seen the biggest revamp with £85,000 worth of improvements, funded by contributions from building development in the village. They include a basketball court and a small ball court replacing 20-year-old play equipment.

It was installed after consultation with the parish council and pupils at Fernvale and St Luke's schools, in Thurnby.

District councillor Simon Galton, who has championed the improvement of play equipment for several years, said: "We went into the local schools to show pupils proposed designs and get their views on three different schemes submitted by specialist play contractors.

"More than 100 children were involved in the consultation and the design chosen reflected what they said.''

Councillor Helen Shepherd, vice-chairman of Thurnby and Bushby Parish Council, said: "Since the park re-opened we have seen crowds of young people playing and having loads of fun. It's a super addition to the facilities in Thurnby and Bushby and will benefit many in the community."

The district council has ploughed the other £195,000 into improving six more play areas in the district.

Play areas at Mill Grove, Moorbarns Lane and Mulberry Close, in Lutterworth, Edward Road, in Fleckney, Cromwell Road, in Great Glen, and Sherrard Road, in Market Harborough, are also being revamped into dynamic and attractive open spaces.

District council young persons' champion Councillor Paul Bremner said: "This has been a wonderful opportunity for the district council to involve children in the design and content of these improved play areas.''