Three children's play areas in Macclesfield and one in Bollington will reopen from Monday (6 July) the council has announced following government guidance deeming it safe enough to do so.

The play areas at West Park, South Park and Victora Park in Macclesfield are to reopen as well as one at the Bollington Recreation Ground.

The council's parks team have been working with Ansa, its environment services company, to ensure users of the play areas and outdoor gym equipment are safe against the risk of the coronavirus. Protection measures will be in place.

Cheshire East says due to the scale of the task and the time needed to carry out thorough risk assessments they are reopening all facilities on a phased basis.

The aim is to reopen the larger facilities first, but this will be dependent on whether the appropriate measures can be put in place, it says.

Cllr Laura Crane, Cheshire East Council's cabinet member with responsibility for green space, said: "I know many children across the borough have greatly missed using our play areas, especially in the nice weather that we've had recently. These thoughts are echoed by the many residents who have been keen to further their fitness routine in our outdoor gym areas.

"I'd like to thank everyone for adhering to government advice and for respecting the closures that we had to put in place.

"The news that we are able to start reopening our facilities was very welcomed but I urge residents to be patient as we work hard to risk assess all the areas and to take the appropriate action that is required to make areas as safe as possible for all - it's not simply a case of reopening gates and taking down closed signs"

Children and their parents will need to keep a distance from other users and the council says parents should take responsibility for their children and ensure they play apart from others and do not hog hogging equipment.

Food will not be allowed in or around the play areas and all users, including children, will need to remember to wash their hands or use hand sanitiser after using the equipment.