CHILDREN have been given a brand new play area thanks to dedicated parents and a parish council.

A football pitch and playground have been built in Rushwick, near Worcester, after the parish council managed to lease land from Worcestershire County Council. A committee of parents and parishioners called Playscape then began fund-raising and planning what to do.

"The only thing that was in the village was a small area with one swing and that had to shut because of health and safety," said Mark Chapel, member of Playscape. "It will be a great place for the whole community."

The whole process started in 2003 when the parish council completed its parish plan.

"One of the objectives within the plan was that we try to create a play area," said John Dixon, chairman of Rushwick parish council.

The council managed to agree a long-term lease of a cabbage field, opposite Rushwick Primary School, from the county council. They were then given a £3,800 grant from the National Lottery to clear the field, have it levelled and seeded, before handing it over to Playscape.

A further £7,000 was raised by Playscape to buy and install the swings and slides.

The county's Football Association also helped buy new goal posts for the football field and the parish council has created a car park which will ease traffic problems during school dropping off and collecting times.

Now, after five years of fund-raising and hard work, the play area is officially opening at noon on Monday.

"Children will be able to play football and express themselves," Mr Chapel said.

"For the very young ones there will be somewhere to go and have fun."

The parish council will now continue to pay rent and insurance on the land, but members believe it will be a resource for generations to come.

"When one sees something like this come to fruition it makes it worthwhile," Mr Dixon said.