A play park which had been used as a haven for drug users looks set to be reclaimed by youngsters, thanks to a revamp.

More than £36,000 has been spent on sprucing up the recreation ground in Horspath Road, Oxford, in a bid to encourage children to return.

The money was allocated by Oxford City Council's Cowley area committee.

Councillor Sabir-Hussain Mirza, who was behind the campaign for improvements, said: "No money had been spent on the recreation ground for a long time and we had a problem with youngsters and drug dealers congregating.

"We have to look after our local residents and offer them better facilities. People were complaining and saying they had to go to other parks which were further away.

"It's a lot different and much safer and the children are really very happy.

"They've asked for this park for a long time and it will be a really good facility for them."

The work included cutting back hedges, which were making it difficult for residents and police to see what was going on in the park.

And a central seating area where troublemakers loitered was removed.

Old play equipment, such as creaky swings, was scrapped and new items bought, including a climbing frame, swings, roundabout and new goalposts for the football pitch.

Councillor Bob Timbs, chairman of the Horspath Road Area Residents' and Tenants' Association, said: "The kids are loving it and it's already being really well used.

"I took my grandchildren up there at the weekend and they loved it.

"There had been trouble with drug pushers in the rec, and we wanted to make it a much more open space, so the police can see what's going on.

"I think we were lucky to get the money to do this.

"With the problems keeping play areas and green spaces in urban areas, we are quite happy this one has been funded to be modified."

The play area is aimed at youngsters aged between two and 10, while older children will be able to use the football pitch.