A FATHER and son’s dream to turn an ‘unsafe’ play area into an under 15s fun park is on the verge of coming true.

Sean and David Reid launched the West End Play Area Campaign in 2012 in Oswaldtwistle and after years of campaigning, work is set to begin in September.

David, then aged 11, wrote to councillors asking for help to make West End play area ‘fun and safe’ for his younger brother and sister.

A six-figure sum worth more than £100,000 will see a toddler’s play zone, a wildlife zone, and an older children’s playground installed.

The council’s new portfolio for education, arts and leisure, Coun Ken Moss, said: “There are five funding streams, and the last was Newground.

“The toddler zone will have climbing frames, swings, and slides, the wildlife zone will be for plant and community groups, and there’s a play area for older children.

“We’re hoping to get the work started in the summer holidays, and finished before the end of the year. It’s a big figure, it’s a six-figure sum.”

Coun Peter Britcliffe, chairman of the Oswaldtwistle Area Council, said: “David is a remarkable young chap and he has campaigned really hard. He is too old to use the new playground now but it will be used by his younger brother and sister, Jack, 10, and Megan, three.

“I’m delighted we have been able to support it from the Area Council and that funding was secured from elsewhere too. I’m thrilled to bits for him and his family.”

David, now 13, and his family and friends have carried out several sponsored events, including walks, to raise money towards the project, and has garnered the support of several local businesses.