THE SALE of the former Willow Lane School could fund the creation of a new play area for the Marsh Estate, it was claimed this week.

The school's playgrounds are being lost as the site is sold off for housing, leaving the estate short of vital play facilities.

However, a proposal from Coun Cllr Jonathan Sear, would see half of the proceeds from the sell-off go to fund replacement facilities.

The Marsh community lost its biggest play area when new bungalows were built over the Alders Grove site in 1992.

But community groups have an option to purchase the former church site close to the proposed new Marsh Community Centre.

He said: "Coun Cllr Martin, who has responsibility for resources, has been very understanding, and I am hopeful that my proposal will be approved when a formal report is presented to him next month.

"We have an option to purchase the former church site, next door to where the community centre will be built and assuming my proposal goes through we will be talking to local teenager about how best to use the money."

Meanwhile, Coun Cllr Sear has warned youngsters to steer clear of the soon to be demolished school site.

A serious fire severely damaged the school's roof two weeks ago, and the site is said to be very dangerous.

Coun Cllr Sear added: "Anyone climbing over the building in its current state is risking serious injury.

And just because the building is being demolished and some of the materials burned on site certainly does not mean it's OK to set fire to the building.

"Arson attacks cost money and put lives in danger by overstretching the fire service, they also destroy valuable building materials which could be recycled elsewhere and give the Marsh Community a bad name."