A FORMER quarry is set to be transformed into a children's recreation area as part of a council drive to create more open spaces for local people to enjoy.

Richmondshire District Council is finalising a deal to purchase the land at Pike's Purse, in Richmond. Senior bosses say they are planning to turn it into a top-class community area within nine months.

The filled-in quarry site, off Gilling Road, will be the second area to be bought by the council from private landowners and turned into a valuable resource.

The authority has already carried out improvements to a three-quarter acre plot of land next to St Akelda's Church, in Middleham, and is planning another similar project in Richmond, and a further one in Catterick Village.

The council bought the land in Middleham earlier this year and set about putting up fencing, repairing walls and installing dog waste bins.

Executive director Tony Clark said: "The council's local plan process has identified that there is a shortfall in open space provision in certain areas across the district and singles out areas of land that could be used to make up this shortfall.

"This is the second site that the council has been able to put forward as a recreation area."

Once completed, the Pike Purse site is expected to become a popular kickabout area for youngsters in Richmond.

Mr Clark said: "Once the area has been purchased and landscaped, it would probably be fenced. Children are going to be using it for ball games and flying kites, so it must be safe. We are looking to make this a first-class public recreation area."

Money for the project will come from a fund specially set up to finance schemes of this kind.

Mr Clark said: "Local Plan policy requires developers to make a contribution towards open space provision.

"A fund has been developing to enable us to acquire the land and lay it out so, in theory, it is a self-financing initiative.