Victory

Delighted Sutton youngsters have their new playground after a three-year battle - thanks to your caring Ely Standard.

Just two weeks after we stepped in to try to ease the deadlock between developers and parish councillors, the swing park has opened.

"I would just like to say a big thank you for covering the story and making things happen," said father-of-three and campaigner Mark McGowen of Mostyn Close, Sutton.

Mark asked the Ely Standard to help after Sutton parish councillors and developers Reason Homes were unable to agree over the playground in Stirling Way.

The Suffolk-based developer built the swing park but parish councillors were reluctant to accept ownership until they could be certain it was safe, claiming there were 10 defects to be rectified,

Reason Homes, however, maintained it had sent the parish council a safety report and all work had been completed to standard.

But after the Ely Standard ran the story, Reason Homes director David Wyatt stepped in to get the playground to a standard the parish council would accept and it was officially handed over last week.

On Friday, Sutton Primary School children were told in assembly that the playground was open.

Mr Wyatt said: "We are very pleased.

"This has all happened thanks to the intervention of the Ely Standard.

"It really helped to clear the way forward and I think it just made people sit up and think about it."

Sutton Parish Council clerk Rosie Seymour said: "It's really good to see the playground being used.