A FORMER pit village's £130,000 plan for a play area in its new community park has been boosted by the National Lottery.

The Lottery's charities board has given £58,345 for the scheme at Cornforth, developed by the Cornforth Partnership, a charity set up in 1995 to breathe new life into the community.

The partnership plans to create a play area, with a safety surface, landscaping and seating.

Cornforth Parish Council, which leased the land to the partnership, and Sedgefield Borough Council, have put money into the scheme.

The partnership hopes to win further funding from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

Last year, the partnership finished the first phase of the park, creating footpaths, a kick-about area, and play equipment for toddlers.

Cornforth Partnership chairman Alan Hodgson said the support meant a great deal to the children of the village.

He said: "The National Lottery Charities Board has helped Cornforth by giving grants to staff the partnership and our youth work.

"This is another example of its grassroots support to deprived communities.''