PLANS to revamp a children's play area have been given a cash boost.

The budget for the Clavering play area, in Hartlepool, has been increased to £87,500 by the addition of an extra £25,000 from Hartlepool Borough Council's capital budget.

Improvements at Clavering will create facilities for older children, as well as those aged between five and 11. The council is proposing a new play area on the site, to replace facilities which are now more than 20 years old.

Councillor Doug Ferriday, chairman of the community services and safety board, said: "We want youngsters to develop a sense of ownership and take pride in the new facilities.

"This is unlikely to happen if there are no facilities for older children, and experience suggests that this could lead to vandalism occurring."

Two public meetings are to be held, when residents will get their say on the revamp.

Both will take place at Clavering Primary School, on Wednesday, this week, from 3.15pm to 4.15pm, and on Tuesday, next week, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.