TOWN hall bosses are set to spend more than £84,000 on improving children's playgrounds in Blackburn over the next 12 months.

And four other playgrounds have been added to the list for the next financial year if extra cash is found.

Residents are being asked for their views on the improvements and final plans will be drawn up by the end of July.

Houses in the area have been leafleted and talks have been held with residents' associations and groups.

Around £30,000 will be spent on a playground in St Aidan's Close near the Mill Hill flats where residents are worried about the run-down state of the children's area.

Two other playgrounds in the areas will disappear when the unpopular Mill Hill multi-storey flats are flattened later this year.

Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses have also earmarked £30,0000 for a play area on the Bennington Street estate to complement recent improvements in the area carried out under the estate action plan.

Residents want a new playground specially for toddlers and younger children.

And facilities in Heys Close on the Livesey Road Estate in Ewood will also get a face-lift with £25,000 spent on resurfacing and new play equipment.

A further £16,000 is to be spent on general maintenance of Blackburn and Darwen's other play areas over the next 12 months.

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