LOSTOCK Parish Council has taken the first steps towards creating a lasting legacy for the village's children.

For the past 10 years the council has been hoping to revamp two of the village's play areas and at this month's parish meeting councillors met with charitable organisation Groundwork Trust to discuss how they could start to move their ideas forward.

Project managers Nick Rowles and Louise Horobin told the council how the organisation could help steer the project from initial enquiries and consultation through to fundraising and implementation.

Mr Rowles said: "There are two plays areas that we are looking at - there is quite an old one in Stubbs Lane and we are hoping we will be able to replace the aging equipment there. We would also like to replace the equipment at Birches Lane in Lostock Green.

"Of course it depends if the parish council decides that this is the way it would like to proceed.

"If so we will talk to all interested parties such as community groups and schools to find out what they have done.

"We would just like to provide a high quality play facility for the young people of Lostock."

The play areas would be developed in phases and could cost up to £100,000 - most of which will come from charitable donations - but the parish council is likely to have to contribute around £8,000 to each play area.

Councillors agreed to discuss the matter at its July meeting when they hope to come to a decision about the proposal.

Council chairman Shaun Wells said: "I would like to discuss things in a bit more detail but it would be great if this could be part of this council's legacy."