A BAND of local musicians is launching a new fundraising drive to raise about £40,000 for playground equipment.

The inhabitants of Orlin Road's 24 houses have formed a residents' association whose aim is to improve the area for children.

About 15 years ago, a similar group was formed to install swings and a climbing frame but these are now thought to be outdated.

Because the playing field on which equipment is sited regularly floods, money raised is also intended to install drainage.

Residents' association secretary Val Burnham said: "We decided that it would be a good thing to bring everybody together to get new equipment for the play area so that children have something to do. They just play in the road otherwise.

"We sent out maps for the children to fill in and they wrote or drew the kind of equipment they wanted. We want to get the children involved and are looking into funding."

Children's ideas for equipment included a zip wire, new swings, slide, basketball hoop and new climbing frame. They also asked if their football pitch could be moved.

There are also ideas to involve the community in other projects, like building willow sculptures and creating a mosaic table.

The first fundraising event sees local band Revolver perform at Colwall Village Hall tonight (Friday) at 8pm. Tickets are £5, children £1.

Revolver, comprising Richard Bennett from Colwall on guitar, bassist Fergus Macgonigal from Malvern and drummer Colin Morris from Tewkesbury, have been playing together for three years.

They cover music from the 60s to the present day and perform regularly at The Cross Keys in Malvern, as well as at weddings, school balls and other fundraising events.

"We offered our services towards a good cause because the playing field is in Colwall and I'm based here," said Mr Bennett.

Festival Housing Association has donated a DVD and 50 movies to raffle during the event and the Crown pub is providing drinks for the band and donating a digibox for the good cause.

Donations can also be sent to Alan Sturge, c/o Elgar Housing, 57 New Street, Ledbury.