A DILAPIDATED village playground in Wharfedale will receive a new lease of life, thanks to a £17,000 National Lottery grant.

Outdated and ramshackle play equipment next to Old Pool Bank Village Hall will be ripped up and replaced with new, safe equipment and surfacing for

children up to 16-years-old following a campaign by residents and hall users.

One of the guiding lights behind the campaign, Mike Wild, said: "The current equipment dates back 25 years when a group of residents got together and bought it to give youngsters somewhere to play.

"We were worried that the equipment no longer met EU standards, so a group of us organised an open meeting to discuss what we should do with the land and circulated a survey to residents. We had suggestions including a grassed area or a memorial garden, but 90 per cent came back with the suggestion of play area.

"It became obvious that we couldn't raise the money we were after by holding coffee mornings, so we put in a bid for lottery funding."

Improvements include a climbing frame, football goals and basketball nets, swings and soft play surfacing.

"This should be a great resource for youngsters for another 25 years," added Mr Wild.

The Wharfedale Observer's Play It Safe Campaign is pushing for soft play surfacing to be introduced in all playgrounds in Wharfedale, Aireborough and Horsforth.