NEW children's play facilities, made from environmentally friendly materials, are being built to help keep kids fit and healthy.

Lewisham Council was recently awarded funding of around £1 million over three years by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

It is using the cash to create between 20 and 25 play areas in the borough - £50,000 for each playground.

The scheme is known as the Playbuilder programme and aims to build play areas across the borough made from environmentally-friendly materials such as wood, tree trunks and old tyres.

Councillors sought the views of local residents, including young people, when determining which areas needed new facilities.

Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock said: "It's great to see so many local children enjoying the new play facilities in Friendly Gardens. Children across Lewisham are helping to design the new play areas that are being created.

"They know best what will appeal to them and as a result they are getting exciting play areas like Friendly Gardens which will provide hours and hours of fun."

The most recent playground to be opened was the Friendly Gardens play area in Friendly Street, Deptford.

The play zone features climbing tree trunks, to help children improve their agility, while the development has also seen the disused paddling pool knocked down to create a space for skateboarding and bike riding.

Shroffold Green park in Downham was officially opened on October 7 while the Horniman Play Park in Forest Hill, was officially opened by Sir Steve the following day.