A PROJECT to renovate a village play area has been completed after raising more than £46,000.

The Burton Bradstock Play Area was officially opened on Saturday, July 24 following two years of fundraising and donations from members of the public, local businesses, grant funding and Burton Bradstock Parish Council.

The project was completed with the installation of a large climbing frame with a slide, a small double slide unit and a four way 'springer' this year. This is in addition to work done in phase one of the prokect, where two new sets of swings were installed, along with new fencing, a rain shelter and a large zip wire.

Throughout the process, a total amount of £46,500 has been raised through donations from the likes of Palmers Brewery, the Rotary Club of Brit Valley, Hive Beach House, Burton Bradstock Online, Burton Bradstock Village Society, and the Three Horseshoes, along with grants from the National Lottery's Community Fund, Dorset Council's Leisure and Development Fund, Magna Housing's Community Fund and Waitrose's Green Token Scheme.

The opening ceremony took place at the start of the Party in the Park celebration at the Burton Bradstock sports field on Saturday, July 24.

The play area was opened by headteacher at Burton Bradstock Village School, Claire Staple.

Burton Bradstock parish councillor Elena Rees said: “We consulted young people in the village as to what improvements they would like to see in the play area and we have been bowled over by the huge support that we have received from local people and visitors alike. Pulling together even during these challenging times really has help us put the children’s ideas into action”

“It has also been wonderful to work together with the Village Society who do brilliant work in the village to keep our community thriving, their support and generous donation was grateful received. We hope that people using the play area will also support the local pubs and shops while they are here to support the local services that we all depend on."

Many fund-raising events have taken place over the past two years including a bottle tombola at the local duck race, a coffee, cake and bacon butty morning, a mini festival, quizzes and more.

£400 was raised from collection boxes which were scattered throughout the village and some local children even donated their birthday money.