A NEW outdoor climbing activity is set to come to Okehampton in a bid to encourage youngsters to use the town's facilities.

The climbing equipment, which would be based in the children's area in Simmons Park, will be eco-friendly and in keeping with the town's surroundings.

Okehampton town councillors heard at their meeting last week that Okehampton United Charities had been approached regarding possible project funding.

The town council will also be writing to Okehampton Hamlets Council requesting a grant.

The town council has already received a £5,000 Aggregates Levy grant — arising from aggregate and crushed rock quarried in the UK — through the Rock Environmental Treatment Scheme (RockETS).

Members of the council are currently deciding which type of climbing equipment is best suited to the park.

Mayor of Okehampton Cllr David Weekes said the new equipment would be a welcome addition to the park.

He said: 'What we want to do is gradually put new pieces of equipment up in the park, so it's not all done in one go and it gives the youngsters something new and different each time.

'I would prefer something in keeping with the rocks on Dartmoor, but we will have to wait and see what is decided.'

Cllr Weekes said the climbing equipment would help improve the town's outdoor facilities.

He said: 'Now we've got the park up to a good standard, we want to maintain it.

'We want to keep on top of what people would expect to get from one of the best parks in the country.'

The town council is also looking at obtaining play equipment for adults with learning disabilities, through funding from RockETS.

Cllr Kay Bickley said: 'We have been approached by one of the groups which supports adults with learning disabilities, who have asked if we could have some play equipment here in Okehampton.

'We are giving it some consideration and have been looking at pictures of some of the equipment they have in Exeter.'

Cllr Bickley said it was important for people to know the park was open to everyone.

She added: 'We are quite excited about the prospect of the new play equipment, it will be great and it will bring play to another dimension.'

Members of the town council are expected to make a decision on the type and style of climbing equipment in the near future.