A COMMUNITY house project will soon have an outdoor play area thanks to a gift of thousands of pounds worth of equipment.

The Ferryhill Ladder project, which has been a big success since it opened six months ago, took delivery of the equipment yesterday.

It has been donated by a national company which wants to remain anonymous, and includes slides, swings and an adventure play structure.

Kite Packaging delivered the equipment in two lorries without charge.

The company, which recently opened a branch in Gateshead, is the country's fastest-growing employee- owned packaging company.

The play area will be constructed over the next few days by Sedgefield Borough Council's training and employment section.

Community and development worker Sandy Denny said: "This is going to make such a difference. The playground we have got here is really for children aged eight and under. This means the little ones will get their own swings back again and the bigger children can use the new area."

The house opened earlier this year after more than five years of hard work by the Ferryhill Lakes Residents' Association and its facilities are being well used by the community.

About 60 children aged five to 13 have been attending the centre on each day of the holidays. There is also a credit union, housing advice university, college courses and other activities.