Funding for a new £60,000 children’s play park at Tipton St John is half way there thanks to a substantial lottery grant.

A drive to update the play area, which is now 25 years old, is being led by the Tipton St John Playing Field Association (PFA).

The organisation announced the news that a £20,000 grant had been awarded from the Postcode Local Trust, this week.

It means the association has a total of £31,000 to put towards the play park, which children from Tipton St John Primary School have helped with by sharing their ideas of what they would like.

If all the money is raised it will enable a complete replacement with up-to-date play equipment suitable for all children, including those with disabilities.

The play area project was launched at last year’s 50th anniversary celebration of the playing field. The event helped to raise funds to get the ball rolling and was generously supported by grants and donations from local businesses and organisations, together with many individual donations.

David Birch, the PFA’s chair, said it gave the association confidence that the funding target would be achieved, with the hopes that the project could start next year.

He added the PFA had received a £4,900 development grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

And, this grant would be used to prepare a bid for a main grant with expert support from Devon Communities Together.

Part of the development process will include wider consultation with the community, building on work already done with Tipton St John Primary School and measuring the benefits that will be delivered by the project.

David said: “This is wonderful news and shows that we have a project that is worth investing in, one that will benefit our community for years to come.”

He added that he wanted to thank the following businesses and organisations:

Ottery St Mary Town Council, Sundial Care Home, Norman Family Charitable Trust, Tipton Garage, The Golden Lion Pub, Redferns Estate Agents, Wightman Builders, Venn Ottery Church, East Devon Law, Baters Removals, and Venn Ottery and Southerton Residents Association.