MARKET Lavington Parish Council has approved a grant of £5,000 towards a children's playground in the Fiddington Clay area of the village.

A meeting of the parish council voted unanimously to make the grant so that work could begin as soon as possible, partly because of concerns about road safety in the area. The Community Action Project for Fiddington Clay was set up after residents became concerned there was no safe place for children to play on the estate.

Sharon Cooper, who with her husband Tim is co-chairman of the action group, said: "There was a playground in Fiddington Clay but it had to be taken down because it didn't comply with health and safety regulations.

"Now there is nowhere in the area for children to play.

"The nearest playground is at Elisha Field which is across a very busy road."

The area planned by the group includes a wobble walkway and tunnel unit, ropewalk, swinging logs, rubber step posts, tyre twister, low-level parallel ropeway, log wall and dual balance beams with two benches.

The total cost is likely to be £12,000 but the group is trying to keep the cost down by doing much of the groundwork.

Treasurer Di Lunn said: "We have been very fortunate to secure a grant from the parish council of £5,000 and would like to offer them our deepest thanks. We are also applying to anyone and everyone for additional grants."

The group is also organising fundraising events, the first of which will be a Christmas raffle. Tickets are on sale at Market Lavington Post Office and at the group's cake stall in Market Lavington Market Place on December 16.