A NEW set of outdoor fitness equipment has just been installed at a recreation ground off Elgar Avenue in the Pickersleigh area of Malvern.

The equipment has been installed thanks to local residents' group the Big Pickersleigh Project, which secured £16,000 from Malvern Hills District Council to pay for it.

The apparatus includes a rowing machine, stepper and walker, three benches and a multi-purpose goal with target boards and a basketball net.

Residents behind the Big Pickersleigh Project have been the driving force behind improvements to the area and the additions to the park are the latest in a long line of projects aimed at regenerating Pickersleigh.

The money came from MHDC's Section 106 fund, which contains money donated by developers as a condition of a grant of planning permission.

Sue Heelas of Fortis Living, which owns the park where the equpiment is sited, said: “It is the hard work and perseverance of Pickersleigh residents which has brought real change to the area. Fortis Living is very proud to have supported the project by providing resources and support to residents to help them make a difference in their community.”

Big Pickersleigh Project member Sam Glover said, “It is great to see the new equipment in place and I am hoping it will attract more people from the local community.”

Additional funding from the Big Pickersleigh Project will see new ‘no smoking’ signage and bins being added to the park in the near future.

To celebrate the park improvements, the Big Pickersleigh Project members with support from Fortis Living will be holding an opening ceremony on Thursday, August 7, from 12.30pm to 3pm, to which all are welcome.