EARLIER this month a group of young people involved with this summer's mentoring project had a meeting to discuss the young persons play area, writes Charlotte Pearce.

The play area was designed by a group of Year 7 and Year 10 students and will be built at West Bay.

The area was originally aimed at young people from 13 upwards, but a few members of Bridport Town Council questioned the age and therefore there will be equipment that young people and toddlers can use. This means that adults cannot tell us to leave the area.

The play area will also be suitable for children with disabilities, and be fitted with lighting in many styles, such as lighthouses.

The meeting finished some of the designs that will be used in the area and these include a hammock swing, lollipop-stick seating, a boat-shaped climbing frame, talking stepping stones and more.

A slide is also being considered. The main larger piece of equipment will be the boat. This can be used safely by children of all ages and will have climbing activities coming out from its sides.

A large pier is hoped to be in the centre of the boat with different climbing levels. Some of the equipment that will be in the area will be too high for younger children, so the older users will be able to play without worrying. At the moment the play area is competing against other projects for funds from the lottery.

The meeting went extremely well and many ideas were put forward.

The area aims to be a safe place for people of all ages, and will be a great project for everyone in Bridport.