A CHARITY night is being held next week to raise funds for a community park.

Cookson Place Residents' Association has been fundraising since 2003 to create a multi-purpose family facility at Cookson Place, in South Stanley.

The aim is create three leisure areas near nature trails for the 150 or so families who live nearby.

There will be an activities centre and sand pit for toddlers, an adventure playground and bouncy castle for older children and a multi-sport area for teenagers.

Association chairman Neil Palmer, 59, said: "There is nothing for the children to do around here and it was a road safety issue because they were riding their bikes in the road.

"People will be able to come and let their children play, enjoy the scenery and wildlife and have a better quality of life.

"It is a very ambitious project for a small community such as Cookson Place, but we have got the ball rolling and there is light at the end of the tunnel."

The group has raised £16,000 in grants and fundraising events, but is aiming for £40,000 and is awaiting news of grant applications it has made.

The association has bought some of the play equipment and plans to install it after it carries out landscaping work and installs fencing and security cameras to protect the site from vandals.

It is hoped the park will be opened with a fun day in the summer. A night of music from local artists such as Bobby B, Pure and Simple and Two's Company is being held at East Stanley Workingmen's Club at 7pm on Wednesday.

Entry is £2, at the door.