A BUSINESS woman has recruited pupils from 12 local schools in a bid to ensure her new venture is a success.

Smiles on Faces, a £250,000 play complex funded by a combination of bank loans and family fundraising, will officially open to parents and children in St Peter's Street, Blackburn, later this month.

But Tockholes Primary School children were due to get a sneak preview today, with their clipboards and pencils at the ready to write reports on what it is like.

Ann Wainwright, from Mellor, is one of the three directors of the play area who dreamed up the idea two years ago.

In the weeks to come, Ann hopes her visions of a 'child heaven' will become a reality after a further 12 schools from Blackburn and Darwen put the complex to the test.

Ruth Marriner, a teacher at the Tockholes school, said: "It's going to be a great for the children and they get a chance to give feedback.

"They will have first go on all the new facilities, which are a mixture of fun and education.

"All 44 of our children have been invited and they will all give fresh ideas about their views on the play area and what they think can be improved."

Ann said: "I was in Florida two years ago and I went to a play area with my then four-year-old and it was just amazing.

"We were treated like a family and there was a great atmosphere with good facilities and nice healthy meals.

"I just thought that our kids at home needed something like this so, together with my family, I started creating it.

"There is nothing like it anywhere around here.

"We struggled to get the money but we are hoping the gamble will pay off.

"I think people will be willing to pay for something like this.

"The staff are all from an educational background and have all had police checks, which is not normally the case with play areas.

"There will be all sorts of educational games as well as traditional ones like pin the tail on the donkey and musical chairs.

"There will also be a full menu of meals for children, served in both adult and child portions.

"It really is a complex offering everything for kids. It's like an all-encompassing indoor area which will be expanded outdoors in the coming months."

Parents will be charged to use the play area on weekends and afternoons.