VILLAGERS are bidding to get funding for new leisure facilities for children.

The Thornton-le-Dale Playing Field Association has applied for funding from various sources to refurbish the village playing field and create new toddler and junior activity areas.

The park has already received Lottery funding of approximately £50,000 to create an all-weather multi-use games area and it is hoped there may also be some funding to repair the skate park. However, the association wants to upgrade the area where children aged between two and 11 can play.

Linda Brittain, a member of the association, said: “We fundraise all year round, with duck races and village fetes, but play equipment is very expensive. It can be as much as £18,000 for a piece of play equipment. To me it’s very important that we provide a good facility for young people here, because otherwise they would have to travel to other parks, and that is not really practical. I brought my daughter up in the village and we used the park a lot, and with more than 500 children living in the village, we need to encourage their participation in sport and physical activities, as well as giving them somewhere to meet with friends.”

Mary Manthorpe, a member of the association, said: “We just want to make it the best we can.

“There’s nothing much for kids in our village to do at the moment.

“The playing fields are the ideal location for children to play because they can’t come to any harm there – it’s right in the middle of the village and there is always somebody keeping an eye on it.

“We did get some Lottery funding for an all-weather surface for football and basketball, but now we want something for the younger children. We are applying for funding from various charitable trusts and foundations, but it’s not easy to find support in this economic climate.”

Any business which would like to sponsor play equipment can call Mrs Manthorpe on 01751 476259.