Children have been making a splash over the weekend after the opening of a new water park part-funded by an anonymous contributor in memory of a little girl. 

Mayor of Merton Councillor Agatha Akyigyina joined youngsters cooling off on Friday as they played in the interactive water play area at Tamworth Recreation Ground in London Road, Mitcham.

The free to use water park is the second to open in the borough, in memory of a child, Elisabeth, who enjoyed swimming in the old Wimbledon Park paddling pool before her tragic death.

Funded by Merton Council and a donation from Elisabeth's parents, who wish to remain anonymous, the new play area joins the borough’s seven other paddling pools and interactive water play areas which all opened in time for the school summer holidays last week.

Coun Akyigyina said: "Opening the new water play area at Tamworth Rec was great fun and I know that local children and families will really enjoy it over the summer."

The opening coincided with the launch of Love Parks Week, a national initiative which aims to raise awareness of the importance of parks and green spaces.

A council spokeswoman said: "From our point of view it's trying to get people to use their local parks, make the most of them and show people what's on offer."

To find out more about activities in parks around Merton, visit the Merton Council website