PLANS are taking shape for a new play park in Puddletown for youngsters of all ages to enjoy.

The Puddletown Community Play Park Project was launched two years ago with the aim of creating more recreational opportunities for youngsters in the village.

The project team have been working hard ever since to get local support and gather suggestions on what is needed in the village.

They have now got to the stage where the plans for the park have been finalised and signed off and work starts in earnest to raise funds and apply for grants to cover the £400,000 cost of the scheme.

A number of local events have already been held to get the campaign off to a great start.

These included a Pancake Race event at the Recreation Ground and an Athelhampton Antics night, which saw local band Chill perform on a packed night of entertainment, food and drink at Athelhampton House that also included a quiz with a difference.

So far the project team has raised around £6,000 thanks to generous local support but it is now preparing its big fundraising push as well as looking for other sources of funding.

Other upcoming events include a car boot sale at the Recreation Ground from 8am on Sunday, May 17, a Puddletown Play Day at the same venue from 11am on Sunday, June 7 and the Puddletown Street Fayre on Sunday, August 30 from 10am.

The team are also looking for support from local businesses, are looking to launch a buy a brick scheme and are planning a photo competition for a 2016 calendar.

Plans for the new play park include a toddler play area, a junior play area, a teens and skate park area, a fitness trail and a family area.

Local people have regularly been consulted on the plans and asked what they would like to see at the play park and recent feedback suggested 98 per cent of people felt the designs fulfilled what was needed in the community.

Of those surveyed, 97 per cent also felt that the proposed plans offered something for every age group.

Chairman of the Puddletown Community Play Park Project Rob Belbin said the scheme was all about creating a safe place for local children to play to help their development.

He said: "Play is one of the most overlooked but fundamentally important parts of every child’s development.

"We want to create a fun and exciting place for children in Puddletown and West Dorset to be creative and have fun safely while parents and grandparents can relax and socialise comfortably."

For more information about the project visit puddletownplaypark.com