内容摘要：It has a population of 148,000 and the new unitaries are meant to have at least 500,000 residents.

It has a population of 148,000 and the new unitaries are meant to have at least 500,000 residents.

The borough council says it hopes the pavilion, with a cafe kiosk, toilets and changing rooms, will become a new place to meet, as well as providing better facilities for sports teams.The council is still looking for an operator to take over the running of the cafe.

It worked with a specialist supplier to create the parkour course, which it said was the first in the borough, with a range of obstacles to run, jump, vault and climb on.RBBC's deputy leader and executive member for place, planning and regulatory services, Rich Michalowski, says: "It's really exciting to see the plans we talked about with the community come to fruition."He said the new park had "something for everyone" and that designs were developed with input from residents, sports organisations and local groups at various stages along the way.

Existing tennis courts and games areas were also refurbished, with new surfacing and fencing.Merstham resident Sue Reeves, said: "This revamp of the rec is going to be wonderful for Merstham.

"All the new facilities will make the rec so inviting for users of all ages."

The redesign is expected to reduce flooding in and around the rec with upgrades made to the water channel creating a gravel beach, meadows and wet planting.In a speech, he said the party had came "within a whisker" of winning the North Tyneside mayoral contest in a Labour heartland and had "frightened the life out of the governing Conservatives" in Northumberland.

The count had faced a delay owing to a discrepancy between previously announced vote and turnout figures.Initially announced as 31%, the turnout was later confirmed to be 33%, the

Elsewhere, the Conservatives remain the biggest party on Northumberland County Council. The council remains under no overall control.