COUNCILLORS are to don their overalls and arm themselves with paint brushes in a bid to bring some much needed colour to a children's play area.

Last week, swings and fencing were installed at Greystone recreation field after Penketh Parish Council funded the replacement of play facilities which had long been blighted by vandalism.

But quotes from companies estimated that it would cost the parish council up to £700 to have the swings and the fence painted by professionals.

Councillors decided they could not justify such a large sum of money coming from parish council coffers - so they decided to do it for themselves at their own expense!

Next week, a team of half a dozen councillors led by Clr George Warburton and Clr Linda Dirir will spend two days carrying out the work.

Said Clr Dirir: "At the moment they're a horrible grey colour and we want to paint them a nice bright colour for the children. Rather than use ratepayers' money, we'll be putting on our overalls and painting them - I have a boiler suit at home which will come in handy!"

Councillors in Penketh are determined to stretch their budget as far as possible to plug the long-standing gap in the area's play provision.

In 1993, mum Debbie Bryant set up the Penketh Playground Action Group to raise money for play equipment at the field, where existing swings had been wrecked by vandals.

But the parish council of the day had no clear plans to use the money and was unable to attract match funding. Now, the cash raised by residents has been matched by the parish council and used to buy play equipment for the under-10's.

The plan is part of a raft of Millennium schemes set to improve youth facilties and the general appearance of the district.

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