VILLAGE children are likely to get a safe play area under proposals put forward as part of a campaign to improve rural communities.

The scheme would see a field at Bagby, near Thirsk, turned into a playground, including equipment and safe surfaces, which would also be used by youngsters in neighbouring Balk.

The first phase of the proposal would see equipment installed aimed at younger children, including swings and slides, but it could later be extended to benefit teenagers.

A field in Bagby is already used as a play area, but problems with access, and the fact it is hidden from neighbouring houses, prompted the search for a new site.

Joint proposals have been put forward by Hambleton District Council and Bagby and Balk Parish Council to use a field on the approach to the village from the A19.

Steve Quartermain, district council director of planning, said: "We have identified a site west of Bagby which is suitable for planning purposes and has a willing vendor.

"The council will bear the cost of basic work, such as on the boundaries, fencing and access, and then it will pass it to the parish council.

"It is part of the council's role in providing recreational land for village communities, which has seen a rolling programme of similar schemes."

The land will be bought and managed by the parish council, which has already bought some of the equipment which will be installed if the purchase goes ahead.

Parish council chairman John Swales said they had agreed to buy the land, although the final deal had yet to be sealed.

He said: "The existing sports field isn't very suitable because it is down a bridle path and out of sight, and we don't want children playing where we can't see what is happening.

"This new field is right on the roadside on the way into the village.

"If it all goes through, we will turn it into a play area, and eventually it will hopefully expand."