A group of mothers concerned about the lack of play areas for toddlers raised more than £20,000 to make their dream a reality.

The community project was started after one mum’s Facebook post on the issue received support from other mum’s in the area.

Shenley Park Toddler Area behind Shenley tea rooms officially opened on Saturday, April 29 but is something that the founders hope will be used for years to come.

The event was attended by parliamentary candidate Oliver Dowden, the Mayor of Hertsmere Pete Rutledge as well as Peppa Pig and Anna from Frozen.

Sophie Burnham-Miller, Linzie Barr, Emma Simons, Fiona Twitchett and Jackie Forster started working towards their goal in May 2016.

Fundraiser Linzie Bar said: “We are so proud as it has been used so much since it has been opened, and all of this has happened because of one conversation on social media.

“We are just a group of local mums, some of us run our own businesses, and we all love Shenley Park, but the play area was not suitable for young children.

“We didn’t know each other before, so it’s great that we have become friends, and the support from the community has been amazing.”

The committee raised the cash the help of grants from organisations such as Hertsmere Borough Council’s ward improvement scheme, the Tesco Bags of Help initiative and The Arsenal Foundation.

The Shenley Park Trust were committed to helping the project and they received support from Shenley Fete and the Shenley Parish Council.

The group thought up creative ways to raise the money required, such as holding a Zumba-thon in February this year which raised nearly £1,000.

All official events were sponsored by Shenley Estates, and committee members even donated part of their salary to help create the park.

At first the mums decided to make the accessible area out of wood, but were advised they would need cushioned floors and equipment as a health and safety precaution.

The initiative ended up reaching over their target, and are now working towards installing equipment for disabled children, such as an inclusive roundabout and CCTV for the area.