Hereford'S new hospital has been given a rooftop playground for its young patients.

The whole of the £12,000 cost has been met by two local firms.

The outdoor play area, leading from the children's wards on the top floor of the hospital has been constructed to the highest safety standards.

Haden MaAlpine paid £4,000 for a rubberised floor from Denmark, which matches up to that country's top safety specifications.

And £7,000 worth of play equipment has been installed through the generosity of employees of Special Metals Wiggin Ltd through its own fund, the amount matched by the employers.

The new facility is completed and will be used immediately when the 24 bedded children's wards in the new hospital come into use, hopefully before Christmas.

Hospital play specialist Sue Parish said the new rooftop outdoor playground would be a tremendous boost for young children.

"It will be a wonderful facility for the children and Haden McAlpine and the people at Special Metals in Hereford have been very generous,'' she said.