IT is the most state-of-the-art play area in Southampton – and it was chosen by you!

Wannabe pirates who got their first taste of digging for buried treasure and climbing a shipwreck as the park was officially opened to the public yesterday.

Boasting a Titanic themed area, a sandpit containing fossils, secret tunnels and an ocean liner – a nod to the city’s maritime heritage – the new Houndwell Park play area is set to be a popular destination for youngsters this summer.

Costing £340,000 and taking three months to build, the park was made possible thanks to money given to the city council from developer contributions and an Aiming High Disabled Children grant.

Dozens of families were waiting patiently as Sue Blatchfield, Sheriff of Southampton, officially opened the facility yesterday morning.

The set-up of the play area, built by playground design company Eibe, was chosen by Daily Echo readers last year. It was one of three possible designs for the park.

Cutting the ribbon to officially open the play area Cllr Blatchford said that it really is different from what she was used to in her childhood.

She said: “We never had play equipment like this when I was a child. We just had a swing, a roundabout, a slide and a see-saw. It is fantastic I really want to have a play on everything.”

Echoing the Sheriff’s enthusiasm for the park was mum of one Elizabeth Hegarty, 21, she said: “I think it is really good they have things for all ages. It is the best play area in Southampton.”

Councillor Jacqui Rayment, Southampton City Council’s Cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “I anticipate that a lot of children are going to be very excited about this fabulous new playground – it adds something really special to Houndwell Park and I’m sure it will keep them entertained for years to come.”