Work is all play for Terry and his family

WITH more than 19 years'' experience in the playground industry, Terry Warrington established TK Play in Frithelstockstone with wife Kim and son Kyle in 2009.

Three years on the company has designed, installed and maintained play areas across North Devon.

Terry started in the industry for a play equipment manufacturer, rising to area manager after 13 years.

Setting up a family business seemed a natural progression and now TK Play provides a comprehensive play area service, working with a range of suppliers and local craftsmen.

The company''s approach is based on the belief that getting children outside and active is not difficult when they can have fun.

TK Play''s clients include local authorities, parish councils, individual groups and schools, which it works with to realise playground projects from concept through to installation.

All equipment and surfacing installed complies with current EN1176 safety regulations.

As well as providing climbing equipment, swings and trampolines, TK Play provides a bespoke service to design custom installations.

These have included a ''tiger tower slide'' at Great Torrington Junior School and a fortress-themed play area in Victoria Park, Bideford.

It has also installed a massive fortress in Blackawton, near Dartmouth, as well as a unique multi-function train set in Southampton.

A key feature of many of TK Play''s installations is the incorporation of ramps and featured to aid accessibility.

Terry explained: "We always try to make play areas inclusive for everyone so that wheelchair users and other disabled children can use them."

The company has also invested in equipment to lay its own TK Play Soft Surface rubber bonded bark.

This is produced from recycled rubber tyres to provide a safe, maintenance-free playground safety surface.

It also works as an effective garden mulch for borders and pathways. The surface is available in 10 colours and is guaranteed colour fast, resists rot, wind and rain without absorbing water, and is quick drying.

It conforms to BS EN 1177 critical fall height and EN71-3 toy safety and is environmentally friendly as well as being cost effective.

While TK Play offers its products throughout the UK, Terry is keen to provide a responsive service to North Devon customers.

By working with a number of suppliers it can use its experience to find the best deals on equipment and it can also design and build at its own premises.

"We ensure customers receive value for money," said Terry.

A gallery of play projects, including the recently installed bespoke play boat for toddlers at Westward Ho!, is available online at tkplay.co.uk