CHILDREN'S play facilities are to be improved with a £200,000 Lottery cash grant.

The Big Lottery Fund has allocated the money to Richmondshire District Council.

The council will now draw up a plan on how to spend the money.

Councillors from the community committee agreed to get involved in the Children's Play Initiative at a meeting earlier this week.

Committee chairman Councillor Peter Wood said: "We have a long-standing commitment to providing a wide range of quality play provision in Richmondshire.

"We are keen to use funding available from the Big Lottery Fund to provide yet more opportunities for play in the district.

"I think it is important that the money is spread around the district and not just spent in one place.

"We will contact parish and town councils to find out what is needed, whether it's a new swing, slide or the area's existing equipment made safer."

The money comes from a £155m pot set aside by the Big Lottery Fund for local authorities.

Officers from the council will work with colleagues from Hambleton District Council to put together a joint local play strategy.

The strategy will cost the Richmond authority about £7,000.

This money will come from the economic, cultural and leisure unit.

An application will then be submitted for the grant.

Tony Clark, the council's executive director, said in a report to councillors: "The application will need to include a summary of all the projects proposed, how they will be managed and the estimates of costs.

"The portfolio of projects will need to take into account the needs of disabled children.

"The Big Lottery Fund has stressed that this funding must be additional and must not be used to replace funding from national or local taxation. An investment by the council of £7,000 to draw down £200,000 seems to be a good investment for the district."

Voluntary and community groups are expected to help the council identify a range of suitable projects.

Lottery bosses say the improvements must be wanted and needed by the local community.