FUNDING has been approved for a new and improved playground in Poppleton.

A combined total of more than £75,000 has been awarded by two not-for-profit funding bodies: Wren, which supports community and conservation projects, and Yorventure, which helps fund projects in York, North Yorkshire and North Bradford.

This will be added to money raised from grants from various local agencies, private donations and community fundraising, which pushes the final total to more than £100,000.

The money will be used to give the existing playground a complete overhaul, including a complete redesign, resurfacing of the play area and the purchase of new play equipment.

Claire Fox of the Poppleton Play committee, a group of volunteers who are responsible for co-ordinating the project, believes the facility will make a huge difference to the lives of people living in the area.

She said: "This project will provide a real boost to the people of Poppleton.

"It's fantastic that Wren and Yorventure have awarded us this money and we're really looking forward to our new playground taking shape over the next 12 months.

"We have been fortunate to receive support from local businesses and the community as a whole, and we could not have reached our goal without the support from Wren and Yorventure."

She hopes the playground will be ready to use by Summer 2018, and is planning to open it to the community with a special launch party.

Wren grant manager for Yorkshire, Penny Horne, said: "We're delighted to support the playground project and pleased our funding will provide such a fantastic facility for children and young families within Poppleton and the surrounding villages."

Yorventure community projects manager Angela Pease added: "Congratulations to all those involved in bringing this much-needed play facility to fruition."