Holcombe Rogus has set its sights on transforming a rundown park into a new play area and has £66,350 fundraising target to be met by the summer.

A fundraising group of residents has organised events including the Great Christmas Switch On hosted by The Bear Inn and the Burlescombe Monthly Market on Friday (December 10).

The park, which will sit on the site donated by a local landowner and her daughters, will become home to a number of play activities for children of all ages, including swings, slides, a climbing net, dish roundabout and multi-play units.

The community is already well underway to reach its target and there have been successful grant and lottery applications alongside generous donations – but there is still a substantial budget to be met.

Local resident and fundraising group co-ordinator Bridget Phillips said: “We’re so pleased with the support we’ve seen and our progress so far, but we’ve got a long way to go and over £15,000 still to raise.

“With so many young families in the village, this new park is a key priority for our children to enjoy – and for those in our neighbouring villages and hamlets to visit.”

Other fundraisers lined up include a children’s Christmas craft session on Tuesday December 21 in Holcombe Rogus Village Hall, running the café at the Burlescombe Monthly Market on January 22 from 10am to 12pm at Burlescombe and Westleigh Community Hall. For further informayion, contact Bridget Phillips on 07931 585088.

A nearly new sale is scheduled for February 5 in Holcombe Regis Village Hall, and it is also hoped to hold a series of coffee mornings with other events to be added in the new year.

Parish clerk and co-fundraiser Leslie Findlay said: “The Holcombe Rogus community is so important and we’re really pulling together in order to make this happen for our own children and for future generations.

“We welcome everyone to join us at the events we’re organising and appreciate all donations – no matter how big or small – as every penny counts.”

A crowdfunding page has been set up for donations at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/new-childrens-playpark-for-holcombe-rogus