Earl of Wessex opens play areas

Prince Edward will tour a new state-of-the-art fire station

Two new play areas and a fire station have got the royal seal of approval when they were officially opened by HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

His Royal Highness toured the £200,000 play areas in Waterman's Park, Amethyst Road, Christchurch, Dorset.

They were built with lottery cash following bids from Friends of the Grange community association and Waterman's Park Management Group.

Prince Edward also toured the new fire station in Poole on Thursday.

The state-of-the art building in Safety Drive, Marshes End, was built as part of a Private Finance Initiative (PFI), which includes new service headquarters and a fire station in Dorchester.

It replaces the old one built at Wimborne Road in the 1930s and will accommodate three fire engines which will allow Dorset Fire and Rescue Service to provide community facilities at Hamworthy.