A £40,000 SCHEME to provide a play area in Bishopsmead will move a step closer tomorrow — with a Good Friday Easter Egg Hunt for children.

'At the moment we have got a swing, small roundabout and muddy grass,' said Bishopsmead Playpark Project chairperson Tina Hurford.

The egg hunt, starting in the park at 2pm, is part of programme of events to fund the project which, it is hoped, will be completed by the end of next summer.

A committee has been formed and is applying for charitable status.

'What we want is a fenced area with a gate, toddlers' area tarmaced and pathed and an area for teenagers,' she said.

The area, the size of a football pitch, is behind the houses in Oak Road and Hazel Road.

'We needed something on our doorstep. We have already been donated a basketball post which Tavistock Town Council are going to install,' said Mrs Hurford.

'We need to let the children have a good run about. Especially with foot and mouth they cannot even get on to the moors so this has highlighted the need for somewhere to play even more.'

Mrs Hurford said they had done a questionnaire and targeted every age group on the 370 house estate.

'They just want somewhere to hang around and meet their friends and to kick a ball. The teenagers wanted somewhere with a shelter where they could meet and the younger children wanted swings and slides.'

The Bishopsmead Playpark Project is running the scheme in conjunction with Tavistock Town Council and WestDen.

'The council own the land. We get the equipment — but they will take over the day to day maintenance,' said Mrs Hurford.

'We have a business plan to apply for grants. But we are always doing a lot of things ourselves.'

So far they have organised a ladies' night, quiz at the Ordulph Arms — with another quiz night coming up. There are also plans for a jumble sale.

Bishopsmead Playpark Project has had support from local businesses including James Walker Moorflex, Natural Nomads, D and R Taxis, Mainly Stationery and the Bedford Hotel in the shape of raffle prizes and donations.

They are also working hard raising funds themselves.

'At the end of the day it will be a lot of hard work — but it will be beneficial to everybody. Hopefully as the whole community is involved it won't be vandalised like the playing area in the Meadows,' said Mrs Hurford.

l Whitchurch School raised £100 towards the Bishopsmead Playpark Project after their last day of term mufti day.