PARENTS battling for better facilities for their children have launched their own holiday activity scheme.

Residents in St Helen, Auckland, joined forces to provide youngsters in the village with something to do during their summer holidays.

Secretary of the newly formed Playzone project, Julie Wilson, 31, said: "We feel there is nothing at all for the kids to do during the school holidays, so we got together, formed a committee and decided this was what we wanted."

It is hoped that as well as information technology facilities, the group will be able to take youngsters on day-trips, and one parent plans to start a football team.

Recently the group officially launched the scheme at the Learning Houses, in Melrose Drive.

The committee has been backed in its bids for grant support by community development worker Diane Leith, who has helped them prepare their case for funding.

Members of the committee presented Mrs Leith with a bouquet of flowers at the launch to thank her for her help.

They are pictured outside the Learning Houses with Mrs Leith, who gave them certificates to mark all the work they had done for the community of St Helen Auckland.