CIVIC leaders hope a Sidmouth recreational area could be in line for a funding boost as part of celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and London Olympic Games.

CIVIC leaders hope a Sidmouth recreational area could be in line for a funding boost as part of celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and London Olympic Games.

Sidmouth Town Council has been told Long Park could be eligible for help from a project spearheaded by Prince William to mark the 2012 events.

The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge is a programme to protect 2,012 outdoor recreational spaces in communities across the country as a permanent living legacy of the landmark occasions.

Any council can participate by nominating a site to be included in the programme.

Town councillors last week gave clerk Trina Jarrett their backing to see if Long Park Recreational Ground, between Arcot and Sidford Roads, could benefit from the scheme.

Mrs Jarrett said she hoped the facility could benefit from associated funding if it was designated a Queen Elizabeth II Field.

She said the area isn’t eligible for any Section 106 money- cash for community play and recreation areas secured from developers by the district council.

“If we could get enough money to refurbish that play area that would be wonderful,” said Mrs Jarrett, “I can only find a benefit to us. It could be a good solution.”

“I will be contacting the programme to see what implications there might be for designating Long Park as a Queen Elizabeth II Field,” she added.