THOUSANDS turned out to enjoy a free fun day at a Hyndburn park and see the opening of a play area.

Mercer Park, Clayton-le-Moors, staged the grand opening in conjunction with the summer fair.

More than 5,000 people enjoyed the Lark in the Park festival - which had bouncy castles, live bands, a climbing wall, art factory and the opening of the play area.

Susan Case, 40, of Hazel Grove said: "Its great to be able to bring the children to something free for a change. It is brilliant and all the things the children have made is a tribute to the area."

The Mayor of Hyndburn, Coun Miles Parkinson, cut the ribbon for the new play area and said: "It is a pleasure for me to open this wonderful and colourful park for all children to use which is well overdue."

And it has been welcomed by residents. Yvonne Wilson, community development officer for Friends of Mercer Park, said: "It is fantastic. We had a say in how it was designed."