Playground for 'young at heart'

An "Older People's Play Area" opened in Manchester earlier this year.

A playground will help boost pensioners' fitness in a Sussex seaside town known as a retirement haven.

The plan for the facility, which will offer a gentle workout for the over-60s, has been put forward by a community panel at Eastbourne Homes.

Sue Parsons, chairwoman of the Central and Archery Area Panel, said: "This project has really captured the imagination of the young at heart."

She said a two-week consultation about the scheme had been organised.

And if the plan goes ahead, the playground will be created near existing play facilities on the Archery Recreation Ground.

Ms Parsons added: "I know lots of people in the community who are chomping at the bit ready to have a go."

'Good feedback'

She said the playground would have specially-designed fitness equipment including a "surfer", "space walker", "body twister", "skier" and "horseback rider".

And she added: "The equipment will allow people who can't afford an expensive gym membership to safely exercise, have fun and feel much healthier.

"The initial feedback from local people has been very positive and we are very hopeful that installation work can begin in the new year."

An "Older People's Play Area" opened in a park in north Manchester earlier this year.

The playground on the Dam Head Estate in Blackley, is kitted out with equipment to strengthen hips, tone legs and train the upper body, and was modelled on a play area in Germany.

It can be found next to the under-fives play area, and has six pieces of equipment.

Parts of the exercise stations are also accessible to wheelchair users.