AN outdoor activity centre is planning a massive cash injection to ensure it continues to give Teesside children a taste of adventure.

Carlton Outdoor Education Centre has become synonymous with a trip away from home for thousands of youngsters since 1931.

Trustees are determined to raise £82,000 by March to finance an upgrade of facilities at the centre, which in situated near the North York Moors.

To get the ball rolling, they have virtually emptied the trust's bank account and put £12,000 forward for the scheme.

The centre has been a source of adventure and experience since the land was purchased by voluntary subscription for the trustees of West Hartlepool Children's Camp, as it was originally known.

Now the trustees who lease the centre to Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland education authorities, hope many of those who have undergone the "Carlton experience" will support their moves to upgrade facilities at the centre.

They aim to modernise the existing Trim Trail in the grounds, creating a new £30,000 Challenge Course.

Peter Hogg, chairman of the trust, said: "We funded the Trim Trail over 20 years ago and we would like to modernise it as part of our contribution to the ongoing developments at Carlton.

"We would be delighted if individuals and companies could make a contribution towards this very worthwhile cause for the young people of the area.

"Carlton is an outdoor institution in this area, and has provided fantastic experience, memories and great pub-time stories over the years - and long may it continue."

They also plan to convert a redundant dormitory building into a meeting room with much-needed storage space.

All donations will be matched pound-for-pound by the Government-led Rural Development Programme (RDP). Funding needs to be in place by mid-March.

The trustees' plans complement a major scheme to improve the dormitory accommodation, which began on site last autumn and is funded by a combination of Big Lottery and local authority money.

The centre will continue to be available for school use, but will also be marketed to the wider community.

To find out how to make a donation, call (01642) 712229.