VILLAGERS are preparing for the opening of a play area, that will become a focal point for their community.

The completion of the £120,000 Park House play area, in Lanchester, is the culmination of four years of hard work and fundraising by parents - working with their parish council.

The facility behind Station Road will provide a place for children to play, as well as being a meeting point for mothers and child carers. There are also future plans to install equipment for teenagers.

Lanchester Parklife chairman Lisa Patterson said: "We feel tremendous. It has been a hard slog with some highs and lows and there were times we wondered if we would ever get this far."

Parents decided to take action when Derwentside District Council began removing play equipment that was deemed dangerous.

Mrs Patterson said: "I noticed swings and see-saws disappearing from the village. There seemed to be no information about what was happening and there was nowhere for mothers and childminders to go.

"Then I discovered, through talking with other mothers, that they too wanted to take matters into their own hands and we formed Lanchester Parklife."

The eight committee members and two co-opted members drew up business plans and approached the parish council for help in securing grants.

Lanchester Parish Council contributed £60,000 for play equipment, safety surfacing, seating, bins and fencing - and will be responsible for the future maintenance of the site.

The North Pennines Leader Programme and the Countryside Agency Vital Villages each gave £25,000 to help enhance the scheme with tree planting, pathways and fencing.

Contributions were also made by Durham County Council, Derwentside District Council and County Durham Foundation Neighbourhood Renewal Community Chest.

Mrs Patterson said: "This will provide a new focal point for the village where mothers and childminders will be able to take children and socialise - as well as for grandparents and fathers."

Parish council chairman Colin Burton, who praised the efforts of Parklife, said his members would be working with the committee towards the provision of equipment for teenagers, including goalposts.

The opening of Park House play area will take place on Sunday, May 4, from 1pm to 4pm.

There will be live music, circus skills workshops, bugs and beast exhibits, face painting and refreshments.