Two East Lancs village play areas and cycle ‘pump tracks’ are set for upgrades using existing cash funds.

Part of the funding will come from money paid by a developer in a planning agreement, along with new funding bids to cover rising costs.

Crawshawbooth and Weir in Rossendale are the focus of two playground schemes being looked at by Rossendale Council.

More than £300,000 is needed for the projects, with the bulk of cash linked to funding bids to outside sources.

At Crawshawbooth,  the Moller Ring site on Goodshaw Lane could get new  play features including more-challenging boulders and tunnels to reflect its rural location. There are also hopes for a new BMX-style ‘pump track’ with humps and banks for bikes.

At Weir, new play equipment, safety surfacing, street furniture and a natural-style play area with boulders and a trim trail are recommended.

Both projects involve local community groups and Proffitts CIC, a community interest company.

Adam Allen, the borough's communities director, says in a report on Moller Ring: "The play facilities are very dated and the pump track surface is worn and reaching the end of its useful life. The site is identified as one for investment following an extensive survey of all play areas in the borough."

He told councillors planning agreement money of £35,000 from a development at Commercial Street in Loveclough would be used alongside match funding.

At Weir, the council has worked with the community to secure more than £42,000 of external funding. Initially, it was proposed the council would pay £14,500 for the work, taking the first phase of work there to nearly £57,000. But tenders have risen sharply this year.

Mr Allen told councillors the budget held was insufficient to complete the project so it is proposed to combine both project phases and attempt to obtain additional external funding for the shortfall.

A bid to the FCC Community Action Fund,  linked to landfill waste site operator FCC Environment, has been prepared. And £7,400 from the council’s own play area capital budget will also be required as match-funding.