A £22,000 Viking ship play centre has been officially launched at Sheringham's Cromer Road playground, by the team of local youngsters who helped to paint it.

North Norfolk News: Woodfields student Laura with one of the shields she and her classmates helped paint for the Viking ship play centre installed at Sheringham's Cromer Road playgroundPhoto: KAREN BETHELLWoodfields student Laura with one of the shields she and her classmates helped paint for the Viking ship play centre installed at Sheringham's Cromer Road playgroundPhoto: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

The wooden boat, which has a dragon's head bow and tunnels, ladders and a climbing wall, is dedicated to former Sheringham town crier Tony Nelson, who died last year.

It was decorated by children at Sheringham complex needs school Woodfields, who worked with artist Colin Seal to paint signs and Viking shields.

North Norfolk News: Sheringham Woodfields students with town and district council representatives, Sheringham Playpark Revamp group members, Hilary Nelson and her familiy and artists Colin Seal and Jill Brammer, celebrate the launch of the Viking ship play centre installed at Cromer Road playgroundPhoto: KAREN BETHELLSheringham Woodfields students with town and district council representatives, Sheringham Playpark Revamp group members, Hilary Nelson and her familiy and artists Colin Seal and Jill Brammer, celebrate the launch of the Viking ship play centre installed at Cromer Road playgroundPhoto: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

The play centre, which is the result of a three-year campaign by Sheringham Playpark Revamp Group, was funded by a £10,000 North Norfolk District Council Big Society Fund grant, a £2,000 grant from Sheringham Town Council, and £10,000 raised by the group through events and donations.

District councillor Judy Oliver, who helped with the Big Society Fund bid, said: 'It is just fantastic, it's a real community project.'

North Norfolk News: Sheringham Woodfields students with town and district council representatives, Sheringham Playpark Revamp group members, Hilary Nelson and her familiy and artists Colin Seal and Jill Brammer, celebrate the launch of the Viking ship play centre installed at Cromer Road playgroundPhoto: KAREN BETHELLSheringham Woodfields students with town and district council representatives, Sheringham Playpark Revamp group members, Hilary Nelson and her familiy and artists Colin Seal and Jill Brammer, celebrate the launch of the Viking ship play centre installed at Cromer Road playgroundPhoto: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

North Norfolk News: Woodfields student Bradley tries out the slide on Sheringham playground's newly-launched Viking shipPhoto: KAREN BETHELLWoodfields student Bradley tries out the slide on Sheringham playground's newly-launched Viking shipPhoto: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)