HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds is set to be pumped into upgrading recreation sites across Sedgefield district.

Councillors are expected to approve a spending plan at today's cabinet meeting that will pave the way to the biggest ever single investment in fixed play areas in the borough.

Sedgefield Borough Council will spend £700,000 over the next two years on ten schemes, each with an initial £70,000, aimed at children up to age 11.

Most of the cash will come from capital receipts, such as the sale of land.

The first five areas identified are Eldon, Newton Aycliffe, Chilton, Spennymoor and Trimdon Colliery.

An existing large multi-play area at Eldon Bank, Eldon, would form part of a new scheme and a slide at Central Drive, Middlestone Moor, would be replaced with new facilities. Future management and maintenance responsibility would remain with the borough council for both schemes.

Great Aycliffe Town Council has agreed to run a new play site at Scott Place, Newton Aycliffe. Trimdon Colliery, which has no fixed play areas since the removal of items at Grosvenor Terrace, would see the same site developed and ran by Trimdon Parish Council. A new site would be created at the Miners Welfare Recreation Ground, with Chilton Town Council taking responsibility.

The move follows a review of play provision by the council's leisure services department working with the National Playing Fields Association and local communities. It was prompted by the removal of items last year, including 42 pieces of play equipment in Newton Aycliffe alone, as part of a safety review.

Phil Ball, director of leisure services, said: "We recognise the value of good quality play facilities for youngsters, the European Convention states a child's right to play. It is also about trying to get people to be more physically active, improving environments, ensuring local people have a vested interest in it and giving families and groups of friends a place to socialise."