Play park Buccaneer Bay in Central Park, Dartford, to open mid-March

Gates to a £1.2 million pirate-themed playground are set to open in mid-March.

Work on Buccaneer Bay, in Central Park, Dartford, started on November 14 last year, when the original play area was closed.

A post from Dartford Together, the council's leisure Facebook page, read: "Things are moving fast at Buccaneer Bay.

"We can share a little news with you - we’ll be opening the gates in mid-March.

"We’re busy putting the final touches to our launch events so that everyone will be able to enjoy this brilliant new play area.

"We can also confirm that Buccaneer Bay will be a public playspace and completely free of charge.

"More details will come shortly, we can’t wait for you to come aboard."

Earlier this month, Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite visited the playground and updated residents on the works.

"Lots of work to do and the coloured safety surfacing will make all the difference but everything is on track and, if you pardon the pun, looking pretty shipshape," he said.

The Tory leader explained there had been a "couple of supply issues" but added they had all been sorted now and it "won't be long" until the project is complete.

When built, Buccaneer Bay will cover two-and-a-half acres and has been extended to include an enclosed space for families and a picnic area – making it among the biggest of its kind in the UK.

Visitors will be able to explore a pirate ship, clamber over animals in Porpoise Bay and Crab Island before climbing an 8m tall lighthouse.

There will also be a zip-line, new equipment such as slides and swings and new water features.

Quieter, sensory zones and the pirate-themed space has been designed to ensure it is inclusive and accessible.