A BADLY damaged play area is set to be demolished and replaced with a new purpose-built play- ground costing £52,000.

Rossendale Council's cabinet has agreed to provide funding for the new playground at Gordon Street in Bacup.

The project, put forward by Groundwork Rossendale, involves moving the existing facilities from the current playground site in Gordon Street futher down the street so that the new site can also be used by children in nearby Thorn Bank and Bath Street.

Duncan Ruddick, Rossendale Council leader, said: "This is a sensible approach to create better children's play facilities in the Blackthorn area.

"The current facilities are of a poor quality and badly vandalised. The new facilities will be state of the art and attractive. I am delighted that we have this opportunity to enhance the quality of life for children in the Blackthorn area."

The new playground will include an inclusive play unit, a dish roundabout, a ladybird springie, a two-seater swing, a space net, a seesaw and a further swing.

Resma Patel, Groundwork project officer, added: "We've been working with the local residents for over a year, developing plans, choosing the equipment and then raising the money. When you see it start to happen on the ground it's all really worth it."

Groundwork carried out a consultation with local residents, distributing 100 questionnaires to houses in the area before submitting its idea to the council.

Under the plans an old playground site at Thorn Bank and Bath Street will also be demolished and landscaped with hedges and trees to enhance the appearance of the area for nearby residents.

Coun Ruddick added: "Unfortunately funding is only available to develop new facilities on one site."