AN outdoor chess table is to be installed at Barnoldswick's Letcliffe Park - thanks to the Government's Levelling Up funding.

The table, and seating, is one of two to go in at parks in Pendle - the other at Marsden Park in Nelson; with both being installed in the new year.

Each four-seater picnic bench will feature a chessboard on the top, however, players will have to bring their own chess sets.

The council hopes the new leisure equipment will encourage more people to visit the parks, to encourage chess playing and to help with the associated mental health benefits of a social game in an outdoor environment.

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, council leader, said: “The new outdoor chess boards are designed to improve existing green space facilities and encourage residents to come together to meet, learn and play. It is wonderful that we can add to our wellbeing offerings at these two parks and I am certain the new chess tables will be brilliant additions to the facilities they already provide.”

Phil Riley, Green Spaces Manager at Pendle Borough Council, added: “We have chosen the parks in Nelson and Barnoldswick based on the fantastic community hubs that already exist there.

“We hope these new tables will add to what the parks already have to offer and visitors of all ages will go along to use them.”