NEARLY £300,000 is to be spent completely overhauling playgrounds across Basildon - with youngsters telling council bosses exactly what they want.

Basildon Council has awarded contracts to three play equipment suppliers, which total £287,104.46.

Investment has been agreed for seven sites as part of the plans, which involved consultation with councillors and the community.

It comes as the council is in year three of its 10-year plan to refurbish the 143 sites in the area.

Proludic Limited will revtialise play spaces in Pendle Drive and Codenham Green, Kompan UK Limited has been assigned areas in Audley Way, Great Gregory, Little Dodden and Scarletts, and Wicksteed Leisure Limited has the contract for Spire Road.

Each of these sites will see the installation of new play equipment, with capital funding of £9 million being invested over the next ten years.

Jeff Henry, councillor responsible for health, wellbeing, leisure, arts and culture, said: “We have been working really hard to refurbish the playgrounds to make them more modern and accessible.

“School visits have been made to get a clear understanding of what children like and want to see in these new site designs.

“It is brilliant news, and we hope they will be delivered over the next few months.”

Most of the cash will be going to Spire Road, in Lee Chapel North ward with £55,239 being spent, and the least amount of money is being put into Great Gregory, in Nethermayne ward with £30,411 planned.

This is based on how much equipment will need to be added to fill the size of the sites.

Susanna Caira-Neeson, Labour councillor for Lee Chapel North ward, welcomed this news.

She said: “We always need more areas for children to play safely.

“With this investment, it will be nice to see our children more active and having fun outside, rather than being stuck in front of a screen.”

The projects highlight the council’s vision of all residents having access to “well-designed, good quality, inclusive play spaces that offer good recreational and play opportunities”.