Ashford Designer Outlet play area plans unveiled

The first images of the new £400,000 play area for Ashford Designer Outlet have been released.

The 'Garden of England' themed play area, which is part of the centre's £90m expansion, is due to open in spring 2019.

It comes after the former playground, previously located next to the food court, was dismantled and donated to Wingham Wildlife Park in April.

The new playground will have space for more than 200 children to play at one time.

It will also include a seven-metre high Robinia tree house, one of the tallest of its kind.

Bosses say the play area will be fitted with interactive elements, including tactile and sensory equipment.

Using augmented reality, children will be able to use QR codes to make fairytale characters appear in the playground.

Youngsters will need to download the Hans Christian Andersen Play Gate app via the Apple or Android app store.

The Designer Outlet extension is set to add a further 50 units to the centre, with the new flagship shop in the extension being the only unit to be two storeys high.

It will also include a new car park with an additional 725 parking spaces and is expected to create 500 new jobs.