A VILLAGE playing field is to be improved, thanks to a community group.

The Brotton Community Forum has almost £2,000 to spend as a result of donations from steel giant Corus, Skelton and Brotton Parish Council and the Brotton Millennium Group.

The forum, which was set up in the summer as a way of improving opportunities for villagers, intends to spend the cash on the playing fields at Marshall Drive.

It intends to bring in state-of-the-art play equipment and landscape the surrounding area with trees, seating and hedges.

Coun Richard Rudland, who is a member of the forum, said: "Considering we only started in July, we have made a very good start. The scheme will make a difference for people and give them somewhere to enjoy exercise."

The forum meets again on Wednesday, November 7, when the Marshall Drive plans will be discussed further