Another boost for children's play areas

Facilities at Sidley and Egerton Park will benefit from their share of more than 150,000 as part of the Play Pathfinder scheme.

The grant money also covers upgrades to playgrounds at Battle and Etchingham.

Rother District Council members agreed to accept the cash at their cabinet meeting on Monday (April 6).

Councillor Ian Jenkins welcomed the grant, saying it would not only improve facilities for young people but benefit Sidley, which "is an area which could do with a lot more support".

The funding comes from a 2m grant from the overnment following a successful bid by East Sussex County Council to become a Play Pathfinder area.

Rother has worked with the county council to identify places which require investment in play provision.

The recommendations were made to the scheme's project board by a panel of Rother members, officers and representatives from the Youth Development Service and the Hastings and Rother Youth Cabinet.

The projects have to be completed by the end of March 2010.

Already new play areas in Westfield, Pebsham and Robertsbridge have been built or are nearing completion as part of the project.

Cllr Jonathan Johnson, Rother District Council cabinet portfolio holder for children and young people, said: "It is one of the council's aims to provide more activities for our young people so we are pleased to continue this scheme.

"We are especially pleased to be using the money right across Rother so we can provide places to play for as many young people as possible."