A LONG-awaited new play area was officially opened in Bridestowe last week by the mayor of West Devon, Cllr Christine Grills.

An exciting range of play equipment including a Sheepstor climber with rope swing, a climbing wall, slide and tunnel runs have been provided by the parish council, which spent almost two years raising the money for the apparatus.

Until this summer, there was just a swing unit on the sporting green, which also needed a safety surface.

Parish clerk Pete Daniels said: 'What really identified the need was we had one of these parish appraisals and that was one of the highest percentage requests — new play equipment.'

The total cost of the safety surfaces and equipment came to around £19,000 — a big target.

Mr Daniels said with the help of the borough council, Community Council of Devon and Rural Development Commission, the parish raised £10,000.

'I wrote off to absolutely anyone and everyone I could possibly find — we got about £3,100 from the Foundation for Sports and the Arts, Bridestowe Commoners gave us £250,' said Mr Daniels.

To add to the total, the owner of the sporting green, American lawyer Thomas Moore, promised ten per cent of whatever was raised. The balance of the funding came from the parish council.

Mr Daniels said the council chose the equipment after speaking to many manufacturers and using their own knowledge.

'We just tried to make it as varied and interesting and as much fun as possible — that's what it's all about, kids learning through play,' he said.

Although only just officially opened, the play equipment has been in situ since May and Mr Daniels said it has already been well used by youngsters in the area.