FUNDING is needed to turn the dream of a play park into reality.

Top Lakes' Residents Association wants to turn land opposite Green Gates Primary School, in Redcar, into a play area for children of all ages, as it used to be many years ago.

Local authorities do not have the budgets to set up play parks any more, but community groups, such as the residents' association, can access funding so long as it can prove it has participated in an extensive public consultation exercise.

The group gave a presentation at the Kirkleatham Community Forum on Monday night and has taken youngsters of all ages and their parents to view play parks all over Teesside to help them generate ideas of what they want to see in their play park.

The main stumbling block appears to be how to find the estimated £80,000 needed to pay for it.

There is possibility of cash from both the Sure Start and Single Regeneration Budget projects in the area as well as a variety of other charity sources but it will be some time before any cash arrives.

Councillor Mary Ovens, from the residents' association, said: "We have a wonderful vision for it but the funding is a problem."