A church hopes to raise more than £200,000 in a bid to create soft play facilities open to all families including disabled youngsters.

Christchurch, on The Grove, Ilkley, is pressing ahead with plans for the Dan’s Den play facility this year, and is already said to have raised about a quarter of the funds needed.

One of the Christchurch members behind the scheme Sue Staton talked to Ilkley Parish Council about the project, and said the church may submit a request to the council for a share of its awards and projects funding.

She said the church is looking to raise in the region of £200,000 to £220,000.

“We’ve raised 26 per cent so far, and feedback has been very positive. We do think it would be a real asset for Ilkley.”