A U-TURN has been made on a decision to install a space net climbing frame at Portishead Lake Grounds after consultation with young people in the town.

The exciting new play equipment was expected to be installed before the end of the year at the seafront beauty spot, providing the recreational apparatus that could be enjoyed by all ages.

The town council had agreed to fund the net after criticism over the current play equipment installed at the Lake Grounds, which is geared towards only younger children.

They selected the larger net so that parents could join in the activity, making it family friendly apparatus, but youngsters in the town were not so keen on the idea.

Town council chairman Reyna Knight said: “We are well-aware the Lake Grounds lacks equipment for older children to enjoy and have been working on rectifying this for a long time.

“We agreed a space net to provide a climbing experience for people of all ages but young people in the town came up with other ideas and it is our job to listen to them and act accordingly.”

Councillor Liese Stanley has now consulted with more than 180 young people in the town and an overwhelming majority gave the thumbs down to the exceptionally high proposed net.

Instead they favoured a grouping of a number of individual pieces of equipment, including a hamster wheel, surf rider and sky carver.

�42,000 was allocated for the space net and members of the town council recreation and works committee will now liaise with North Somerset Council to source equipment and prepare a cost plan for the new proposals.

It is hoped the equipment will be in place before next summer.