THE PARK in the centre of Tavistock could be in line for a makeover — thanks to the passion and determination of two working mums.

Keri Pierce and Mia Alaoui are galvanising the town in order to update and improve the play area in the Meadows.?A first fundraising day for the campaign has been set for Sunday, September 29.

Mother of three, Keri, said: 'Mia and I were in the park chatting about how it really is a jewel in Tavistock's crown, and that everyone would benefit if the play equipment was brought up to date.

'We decided to see if others felt the same and innocently set up a Facebook page called Meadows Makeover —and didn't bank on it being such an immediate hit.

'In the first three days we saw 14 people join the page every hour. We now have more than 1,100 members and this increases every day.'

The pair set up the Facebook group to carry out some market research and see what other parents, residents and businesses would like to see change in the Meadows.

The page is now an active forum where individuals and business owners have pledged their support and services to help make the plans come to life.

Tavistock Town Council, which owns the Meadows, is in favour of funds being used through a section 106 agreement to improve the park should the Tesco development in Plymouth Road secure planning permission.

But Mia said: 'We can't simply sit back and wait for a Tesco to be built in order to see the Meadows get the makeover it so desperately needs — and the 1,000 people on our Facebook group agree.

'The Meadows is a beautiful park and it could bring so much more to the town's residents and visitors if it is updated and improved.

'We know it is going to take time and money but that won't stop us!'

The Meadows Makeover team has set up a management board in order to use the goodwill and offers of support to its full and its first job is to organise the fundraising day in the Meadows.

Keri added: 'We want to start fundraising now so we can see improvements as quickly as possible.

'We don't want our children to be 16 before work starts on the park. This is why we have decided to hold the fun day on the Meadows and start working towards our first target — £12,000 for a 30-metre zip-wire that can be used by everyone, young and old.'

The women believe that a state of the art playpark could benefit the whole town with more families spending money in the shops and using the cafés. They are appealing to local businesses to have stalls at the fundraising event in September to help the campaign.

If anyone would like to know how they can get involved and work as a community to improve the Meadows, they should go to the Meadows Makeover Facebook page or call Mia on 07818 440771 or email Keri on [email protected]">[email protected]

Tavistock Town Clerk Carl Hearn said: 'We are delighted with the community response regarding a makeover for the Meadows. We already have big plans for the park and look forward to working with local people to bring our ideas together.'