YOUNGSTERS in a York community will soon have new play facilities after work began on a £47,000 scheme.

Heworth Without Parish Council secured the money from City of York Council under the Playbuilder project to refurbish and improve the Stray Road play area, which will see new equipment installed for eight-to-13-year-olds.

Nigel Ayre, who is standing for re-election in the Heworth Without ward for the Liberal Democrats at this week's local elections, said: “It is great to see work getting underway, because local children need somewhere fun and safe to play and the improved facilities will be a big boost.

“The design was put together with the help of local children and the wider community, so I am sure it will be very popular.”

The Playbuilder scheme was suspended by the Government last year as part of cost-cutting measures, but York subsequently received a reduced allocation of £371,000 for projects.

“I wrote to the Children's Minister, Sarah Teather, to stress the positive impact of Playbuilder, arguing it provided good value for money and brought important benefits to the children of York, so I'm especially pleased to see the funding being put to good use in Heworth Without,” said Mr Ayre.