KNUZDEN recreation ground has first call on council cash this year to refurbish children's playgrounds.

Work on the complete renewal of the playground, costing £35,000, will get under way this summer.

A similar £35,000 project to refurbish the play ground in Gatty Park, Church, is still expected to go ahead - but not until spring next year due to lack of cash.

Hyndburn leisure services committee stressed it remained committed to both projects and would pay for the Gatty Park scheme with the help of money raised later in the year by the sale of council land or buildings.

Councillors said both sites were in an equally poor state but opted for Knuzden to be first in line because of its remoteness and being 15 minutes walk from the nearest playground in Hargreaves Road, Stanhill.

The police have also been working in Knuzden to reduce local crime and anti social behaviour and improving facilities in the area is a key feature of the initiative.

Coun Malcolm Peplow said: "

The two areas are separated by Knuzden's isolation as a community."

The playground served a large residential area with a large number of children, and local residents had been crying out for improvements, he added.

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