AN APPEAL to create a purpose-built play area in Hatherleigh is gathering pace with fundraisers already over halfway towards their original target.

Hatherleigh Residents' Association is on a mission to raise at least £25,000 to equip a piece of land in the Moor View area of town.

With the play area fund up to £14,500, members of the association are delighted but say they still have a long way to go.

Secretary of the group Martin Pritchard said a good start had been made with contributions from West Devon Homes, the West Country Housing Association and West Devon Borough Council but the local community had also been generous with money donated from Hatherleigh Rotary Club and Lions Club, the Hatherleigh Walruses and local quiz nights.

Entwhistle's General Stores in Hatherleigh had pledged to give 10 per of its takings on Wednesdays and Thursdays to the fund over a 12-week period and Greenhills the Newsagent had offered a similar gesture.

'This is all being done for the children and we are delighted with the response so far,' said Mr Pritchard.

'We are planning to write to large retailers in the area and doing a door-to-door leaflet drop — £25,000 is our minimum, we would like to get quite a bit more because with play equipment the money does not go very far.'

The residents' association is hoping to go to the lottery board with a bid once it has got as far as it can with fundraising locally.

'For every £50 we can get that represents £100 if our bid goes through the lottery,' added Mr Pritchard.

He said at the time the Moor View development was started 15 years ago a play area was promised by West Devon Borough Council but although an area was earmarked there were no facilities or equipment installed.

'Children need spaces that are stimulating, accessible and safe but unfortunately there is a generation that has missed out on having a play area close to home.' he said.

'There are 160 homes in the Moor View area and that is due to grow to 200 — this area of Hatherleigh will soon house half the population of the town.'

If anyone wants to donate money to the play park appeal they should call Malcolm Pritchard on 01837 811099.