PLAY areas across the Ribble Valley could be in line for a £40,000 makeover.

The borough council is planning to set aside the funds for the scheme to serve its 17 play areas.

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Half of the budget will go towards purchasing the equipment and materials for the play areas with a further £10,000 being paid to contractors to carry out the work.

The capital bid submission will be discussed by councillors on the Community Services Committee at a meeting in Clitheroe on Tuesday. If the scheme is given the green light, work is expected to start in the 2017-/18 financial year.

The money for the project has been found within the council budget after an independent assessment of the existing play areas and and increase in the number of complaints about the appearance and condition of the equipment.

The council has also received complaints about the removal and non-replacement of facilities.

Mark Beveridge, the council’s head of cultural and leisure services, said in a report: “The scheme will address emerging health and safety concerns over the condition of equipment within play areas.

“The scheme is vital to maintaining and improving current standards.

“In some instances equipment can be repaired, extending its life and therefore reducing expensive replacement costs.

“This project is as a result of an independent assessment of current play areas, and an increase in the number of complaints relating to the removal and non-replacement of equipment and the general appearance and condition of facilities.

“The bid assumes there will be no external funding to support it at this time.

“However, there may be Section 106 contributions from housing developments to reduce the overall net impact of the scheme in future years.”

Councillors will discuss the project alongside other capital spending bids during a meeting in the council chambers in Church Street, Clitheroe, from 6.30pm on Tuesday.

Clitheroe Town Council leader Mary Robinson said: “Play areas are important for tourism and the council is very wise for wanting to spend this amount of money on them. “I think that it’s a good idea and I hope that they also think about ways to improve provision for teenagers as well.”