YOUNGSTERS across South Craven will soon have no excuse for having nothing to do, with news that thousands of pounds is being spent on state-of-the-art playground equipment in the area.

Play equipment was this week being installed in Sutton, and other projects are getting off the ground in Lothersdale and Cononley.

A £34,000 scheme is being spearheaded by Lothersdale Parish Council with funding from various bodies.

The council itself has chipped in, as has Lothersdale's two trusts (the parish trust and the village trust), and money has been sought from grants.

The new play area is planned for the site of the now redundant bowling green and would include a large range of equipment. A bridge across the beck would also be built to improve access for wheelchair and prams and there are plans for a picnic area and woodland walk.

The scheme also includes an extension to the existing tennis courts which will be carried out when money is available.

"It's a very exciting project and it's community based and one which everyone can join in with," said Lothersdale parish clerk Bob Davis. "There isn't the population in Lothersdale to continue using the bowling green and it is an ideal site for the playground because it's drained and flat."

A series of fundraising events are being held to raise money for the project .

Meanwhile, Cononley residents are being asked to throw their weight behind upgrading the facilities in the playing fields there.

They are being urged to sign a book to show their support for the project so organisers can prove they have the backing of the village when they apply for grants. The book is housed in the post office and the scheme also includes replacing the dilapidated shelter with a multi-functional bandstand.

Play equipment in Sutton park was this week taking shape after £12,000 was spent on new products. The park's existing slide, swings and roundabout are in a bad state of repair and an appeal was launched several years ago to replace them.

The equipment delivered this week is only a small part of a £60,000 play-centre project which will be completed when funding is available.

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