PRE-SCHOOL children have walked the plank in a bid to get new play equipment for their village.

Busy Bees playgroup in Southwick organised the sponsored pirate event and the children, aged two to four, raised over £200.

The children were raising money for play equipment for their village and in neighbouring North Bradley.

They presented cheques to the Southwick park group and the North Bradley park action group on Tuesday, December 11.

Jackie Gibbon from the park action group said they are close to reaching their goal.

She said: "We are really pleased, it is all going well and we hope to complete the project by spring or early summer next year."

Despite the help of Busy Bees, fundraising in Southwick is slow.

Group member Cath Noble said: "We sent out 1,000 letters asking people to come to a meeting and no-one came.

"We have a lovely park but antiquated equipment, with nothing for two-to-seven-year-olds."

Busy Bees Pre-School has been given the go-ahead to take plans for a new building to the next stage. The action group will meet early next year to discuss the type of building and the funding required.