The learn and play facility, boasting state-of-the-art equipment, has been build to replace a waterlogged playing field at St Gerard's Primary.

And although the area will be widely used by pupils at St Gerard's and nearby Noble Primary, it will also be available to the wider community.

The new facility, officially opened by North Lanarkshire Provost Tom Curley and children from both schools, is designed for children age from two right up to 18-year-olds and and the equipment in place is aimed at providing fun and challenges to all.

The complex includes a multi-use games area which can support a range of ball sports such as football and basketball and the play area is accessible for people with wheelchairs and families with prams.

It will also serve as a key resource for both primaries and the nursery attached to St Gerard's, improving the quality of outdoor play available and bringing a host of health and wellbeing benefits.

Local councillor Harry Curran said: "It's great to see the facility completed and it's a real asset to the area.

"We wanted this project to provide a multi-purpose game and play facility for the local community and schools and this has been delivered.

"Maximising the use of this disused space so that it becomes a valuable community resource was the key to our plans.

"I hope that when people see what can be achieved in their local community that it will encourage other similar projects for the area.

"I would like to thank those who helped fund the project and who worked so hard to make it a reality."

Whisky distillers William Grant and Sons, who operate a customer service centre in Bellshill, played a key role by donating £100,000 from their charity fund after they approached the council's Learning and Leisure Services with an offer of financial support to develop community facilities in the Bellshill area.

North Lanarkshire Community Planning Partnership contributed support with funding of £75,000 through the Community Regeneration Fund and the Scottish Executive also provided the remaining £150,000 through the Environmental Justice Fund.