A playground in Aberystwyth will be reopened while schools remain closed, the town council has decided.

With Plascrug playground being the only facility with a disability swing, the decision was made to reopen the playground - joining the newly refurbished playground in Penparcau which has remained open since work was finished – while schools remain shut.

The castle playground and the skatepark on Boulevard St Brieuc, however, will remain closed.

Cllr Alex Mangold, who has been a vocal advocate for the reopening of the playgrounds, said he was “happy” the decision had been made.

Cllr Mangold said: “Welsh Government guidelines haven’t changed.

“The importance of outdoor play for children still outweighs the risk.

“From what I have seen, parents have been sticking well to social distancing and hygiene guidelines when using the parks.

“I’m happy to say I managed to convince the town council to open Plascrug playground, in addition to Penparcau playground, until face to face teaching in schools resumes.

“The skatepark and castle playground will have to remain closed for now.”

The three town council-owned playgrounds were closed in March when the coronavirus lockdown began.

Despite playgrounds in Wales being given the go-ahead, from the Welsh Government, to reopen in July, the council decided to keep Aberystwyth parks closed, despite pleas from local parents and councillors.

The council reopened the castle and Plascrug playgrounds for the Christmas holidays, but they were shut again early in January.

The refurbished Penparcau playground also re-opened despite complaints over the quality of the work undertaken, and has remained open since.

The town council decided to reopen the Plascrug playground at a meeting on 25 January.