A BID to hand West Hill’s its first-ever play park has been dramatically saved from the axe.

A BID to hand West Hill’s its first-ever play park has been dramatically saved from the axe.

The �25,000 project beat the odds and escaped last week’s Government spending chops.

Village representatives have expressed their joy and promised youngsters: “Now it is full steam ahead.”

They face a race against time to build and finish the facility on land behind the Village Hall within five months. “We are over the moon. We will get our full �25,000, it is unexpected and wonderful,” said Councillor Claire Wright, of the West Hill Play Park Working Group.

Cllr Roger Giles added: “Now it is full steam ahead, we are getting ready for the contract stage, signing the lease and submitting a planning application.

“Everything is urgent because we still have to get the park finished by the end of March next year. We will comfortably deliver this as we were almost ready to go when the funding was frozen.”

Cllr Ray Bloxham revealed the group is already looking for additional funding to improve the facility in the future. He said: “The park will have benefits to youngsters for many years to come and will be added to over time. The project will bring the community together.” The trio of councillors thanked campaigning parents and children for a “fantastic community effort.” They also praised MP Hugo Swire for lobbying Schools Secretary Michael Gove.

Mr Swire told the Herald: “These projects mean a lot to the local communities involved. I am very pleased funding has now been confirmed.”