Youngsters celebrate in their new play area (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Youngsters celebrate in their new play area

FUN-LOVING youngsters in Down Ampney have been making good use of their new £60,000 playground.

The playground was officially opened on Saturday by CWS Agricultural property manager Graham Ramsbottom and is the result of three years of fundraising by villagers.

More than 100 people turned out to celebrate the event, which saw the Rev John Calvert of South Cerney Church pray over the playground for safety.

Chairman of the village Millennium Recreation Area Caroline McKemy said: "We are really pleased with it, it's getting a lot of use and lots of children from other villages are coming to use it as well.

"There is a kids area for toddlers and includes swings, a climbing frame, slide and seesaws.

"While an older area includes a teenage trail, older swings, a climbing frame and a teenage shelter."

The group was awarded a grant of £22,146 from the Community Fund and a further grant of £4,850 from the National Lottery's Awards for All programme.

In addition to this a £25,000 grant from Cotswold District Council was awarded and £12,000 from Charles Church which is developing property in the village.

Mrs McKemy said: "In the future we are hoping to build a small football and skateboard area."

The celebrations on Saturday were combined with the village shop's fifth anniversary.