THE Big Lottery s Play Project Fund has confirmed that a new children s play area at Colaton Raleigh may go ahead.

THE Big Lottery's Play Project Fund has confirmed that a new children's play area at Colaton Raleigh may go ahead.

Originally, �16,500 had been set aside for a play area in an adjacent village but, when it became apparent the funding could not be taken up, the Big Lottery agreed to transfer support to another village in the same Ward.

Colaton Raleigh Parish Council voted unanimously for an all-weather play area with a synthetic grass surface to be installed on a site which has already been designated for play. In addition to the new surface, which will be low maintenance and durable, Lottery funding will provide a lockable box for sports equipment and two goals.

A group of parents in Colaton Raleigh have formed the Children's Action Group and they have already raised funds for a younger children's play area. The Big Lottery funding will provide the second phase in their planned programme, catering for children from 11 - 18. It is hoped the new surface and equipment will be in place by the end of September.

Ward Member for Colaton Raleigh, Councillor Ann Liverton, said: "I am delighted the Big Lottery has agreed to support this very worthwhile project.

"The Parish Council has been very forward thinking and open to ideas about play in the area and, with their enthusiasm and hard work, as well as that of the Colaton Raleigh Children's Action Group, we are now able to provide play facilities for every age group in the village.

"We are also indebted to EDDC's Arts Development Officer, Ishbel Ramsay, without whose help this whole project wouldn't have been possible".