YOUNGSTERS in Watchet, Washford and Crowcombe will be jumping for joy thanks to over £80,000 of investment in play areas.

West Somerset Council, in partnership with Old Cleeve Parish Council, is investing over £35,000 of Big Lottery funding to turn an area of hillside at Belle Vue into an outdoor adventure play space for children in Washford.

The space will include stepping stones, a tunnel, monkey bars, rope bridges and a BMX track to cater for all ages.

The council has also teamed up with Watchet Town Council to deliver £15,000 of improvements to play equipment at the town's Henry Davey Playing Field.

There is also good news for children in Crowcombe who are set to receive £34,000 for a play space on land beside the village hall.

The council worked with children's charity Barnardo's South West and Crowcombe Parish Council to win a £34,000 Playbuilder funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, to provide an exciting outdoor environment for children to enjoy.

Cllr Neil Parbrook, community portfolio holder, said: “I am delighted that new outdoor adventure sites are being developed in the district.

“These areas will provide challenges for children to overcome and youngsters are more likely to see how our lovely environment contributes to our communities, and to their own pleasure through play.”

He added: “The Somerset PCT estimates that one in nine reception age schoolchildren and a quarter of adults could be classified as obese.