A TEAM of trustees from Mary Tavy are celebrating this week after receiving nearly £36,705 from the National Lottery Community Fund to build a new, all inclusive playground for the village.

Play Mary Tavy, which was established last year, has been fundraising for a new playground after the 20-year-old play equipment was declared unsafe and was removed, leaving nowhere for children from the village to play.

‘It’s been a real team effort,’ said chair of trustees John Roy Hill.

‘We are so grateful to all our supporters who have helped us achieve our fundraising target so quickly.’

Together with grants from the Charles and Alice Nicholls Trust, Mary Tavy Parish Council, West Devon Borough Council, HSBC Bank and the Gibbons Family Trust, the grant from National Lottery players will shortly allow for work to start on the playground.

Local people have enthusiastically supported the fundraising efforts by taking part in events, making cakes and scones for the cream tea fundraiser and giving generously.

Mr Hill added: ‘We are already talking to our suppliers Playdale about installing the play equipment and hope that children will be able to enjoy the new playground soon.’