North Wiltshire District Council (NWDC) has announced that it is investing nearly £77,000 in nine play areas in Chippenham, Corsham and Calne in a bid to improve facilities for local youngsters.

New play equipment will be installed at each of the sites as part of the scheme, as well as new safer play surfaces, new fencing and new gates. The Kingsley Road play area in Chippenham and the Pockeridge site in Calne will both benefit from the largest investment worth £14,000, while nearly £13,000 is being spent on the Barrow Green play area in Chippenham.

NWDC lead member for leisure, Viv Vines, said: "We are investing a considerable amount of money in improving the play facilities for young people in North Wiltshire. All these play areas see considerable use and it is time to renew the play equipment and make sure we have safer play surfaces." The funding announcement follows the creation of a new £65,000 play area at Chippenham's Monkton Park.