Work is set to start on a children's play area in time for summer.

New equipment has been chosen for the St Mary's play area, Bridport, following as consultation with families and work is imminent.

The redevelopment is thanks to a partnership between charity BYPAT (Bridport Young Persons’ Action Trust) and Bridport Town Council which will see all the town’s play areas improved in a 10-year programme.

Sarah Smith, a parent representative on the play area steering group, said: “Families are really looking forward to their new play area, especially since they helped decide what would go in it."

Last week, children at St Mary’s Primary School had the opportunity of working with local artist Jemma Thompson towards creating new murals for the space.

“They were bursting with ideas, spontaneity and creativity – it’s been a real joy,” said Jemma.

Headteacher Kate Batorska added: “Our children really enjoyed the opportunity to work with a local artist. To visit Jemma's studio and see how she works was a real inspiration to them all and fuelled an industrious afternoon of design and artwork the next day. The children are looking forward to seeing their ideas come to life in the playground makeover and are very keen to try out the new equipment.”

The children’s ideas will be featured in a unique event being held in Bridport for the very first time by members of a worldwide forum of highly-skilled craftsmen and women known as The Letterheads.

Jemma said: “The Letterheads come together to work on community projects. This year, a dozen of them have generously volunteered their time to come and spend a relaxing summer weekend here in Bridport putting their skills to use in creating the new mural together. The theme of the mural is 'planet playtime' and is inspired by the feeling of play within a balanced environment and the visual inspiration from Studio Ghibli Japanese animation. Anyone is welcome to come and see how the mural is evolving. Perhaps bring a picnic. We will be painting there between August 9 -11.”

For more information about the project and the programme to re-develop all of Bridport’s recreational facilities for children and young people, including the Trick Factory indoor skate park, contact d.chambers@bridport-tc.gov.uk or a.c.woodgate@btinternet.com