A zip wire, climbing frame, sand and swings are just a few of the facilities planned for a Ludlow play area thanks to a £50,000 boost.

Tollgate Road play area has been announced as one of Shropshire Council’s Playbuilder projects and it is hoped that it will be seen as a flagship for schemes.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: “In April this year, Shropshire Council’s parks and countryside sites team was declared a Playbuilder by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, and awarded £1 million to invest in children’s play spaces around the county.

“The award is part of the Government’s commitment to improve opportunities for children to enjoy more active and challenging play, with £235 million being invested nationally as part of the Children’s Plan.”

After reviewing the consultation previously done by South Shropshire District Council’s regeneration team, the Tollgate Road play area was identified by the parks and countryside sites team, as it could be clearly seen that there was a great need to improve the play facilities there.

Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith of Ludlow South said: “It is such an honour for the Tollgate Road to be chosen as a Playbuilder project; after all, there are only 22 play areas to be created from this project throughout Shropshire. This will create a real focus for the local community, and local families are already looking forward to the opening.”

Amy Davies, Shropshire Council’s greenspace support officer, added: “This project steers away from the traditional approach to creating play areas. We will be using natural elements such as sand and grass for safety surfacing.”

Work is due to commence at the end of November.