WORK on Dawlish’s ‘gold’ standard play park is starting to take shape.

Themes reflecting the coast, railway and iconic wildfowl, including the town’s famous Black Swans, are now clearly visible on the site in Manor Gardens.

The £320,000 scheme is widely anticipated to become one of the best playgrounds in Devon when it is completed early next year.

Contractors moved onto the site a few weeks ago but now the structures are in place including a boat and train play equipment.

The Manor Gardens park has been due an upgrade for many years and extensive consultation was carried out before the final plans were agreed.

When complete, it will be inclusive and accessible, including provision for the visually impaired as well as being wheelchair-friendly.

The aim is to enable able-bodied and disabled children and young people to use together.

A trail, to include sensory ‘totems’, will lead families through the town, along the Lawn and the Knowle to Manor Gardens.