AMBITIOUS plans are being drawn up to improve sport and play facilities in a Teesdale village.

Evenwood and Barony Parish Council members and representatives of Evenwood Cricket Club are hoping to secure a grant of up to £50,000 to refurbish the pavilion and changing facilities at the village's Randolph Social Welfare Ground.

And the parish council is hoping to secure a further £10,000 to revamp the children's play area adjacent to the football and cricket pitches.

At their November meeting, parish council chairman Barbara Nicholson said an initial meeting had been held with the cricket club and it was also planned to ask Evenwood Town FC officials for their views before a bid is made to Sport England's Inspired Facilities programme.

Inspired Facilities is part of Sport England's efforts to get more people active in the wake of London 2012, and offers grants of up to £50,000 to upgrade facilities.

Some work has been carried out to the pavilion to ensure its continued use by Evenwood CC and Evenwood Town FC, however, more improvements are needed.

Junior footballers use a Portacabin installed at the ground last year.

Councillor Nicholson said: “The cricketers are going to get together with the footballers to draw up a wishlist.”

Members were told the deadline for the next round of applications to the Inspired Facilities fund was not until March next year, so there was plenty of time to put the bid together.

The parish council is also working with Groundwork North East to draw up proposals for an improved play area.

Councillor Anne Lyons said youngsters at Evenwood and Ramshaw schools had been asked what sort of equipment they would like to see and the details had been passed to Groundwork.

Design work and costs have been drawn up and were due to be discussed at a meeting with the parish council's play area sub-committee last night (Thursday, November 15).

It is anticipated a bid for up to £10,000 will be made to the National Lottery Awards for All fund to pay for new play equipment once the design and costs are agreed.

Coun Nicholson said she was pleased progress on the play area was being made.

“It has been two years since we first decided we were going to do the play area and this is a priority.”