VILLAGERS hope to create a play park to give bored youngsters something to do and keep them out of trouble.

Sherburn Oak (Outdoor Action for Kids) has been launched at Sherburn Village to develop land next to the sports centre as an area for children of all ages.

The scheme is in its early stages but the group's plans could cost up to £250,000.

The group has been inspired by the Kidzone play park development at Coxhoe and is urging people in Sherburn and neighbouring villages, including Ludworth, Shadforth and Sherburn Hill, to get involved.

Oak chairman Stewart Walton said: "We want to create a park with benches where grandparents can watch the kids play and with the site being next to the leisure centre we hope it will be monitored by CCTV.

"We are thinking of making it as creative as possible, something that isn't just ready-made, instant entertainment.''

Mr Walton said the number of facilities for youngsters had declined over the years and teenagers complained there was nothing to do.

The group, which has been running for about nine months, has has so far raised about £1,000 towards the scheme.

But the group only has a few members and it is sending out leaflets to hundreds of homes in the Sherburn Village area in the hope to encourage more people to get involved.

* Oak is holding a coffee morning with planters, bird boxes, bric-a-brac, cakes and plants for sale, at Sherburn Community Centre, next Saturday, at 9.30am.