A PLAY area used by a primary school in Blacon is set to receive a £123,000 makeover.

The upgrade to the open space on Canterbury Road, near St Theresa's Primary School, will include a new pedestrian pathway, landscaping and improved football facilities.

It has been made possible thanks to a £40,000 grant from funding body WREN and match funding from Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC).

It is hoped the project will be completed by August this year.

Cllr Louise Gittins, cabinet member communities and wellbeing, said: “The project will provide much needed improved play provision for local young people; the site had been identified within our Play Strategy.

"I am delighted that representatives from St Theresa’s Primary School's school council, who participated in the community consultation, will now get better play facilities and I would like to thank them for their enthusiastic input in helping to shape the play designs and to WREN for contributing funding towards this important community project.”

WREN is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community, biodiversity and heritage projects from funds donated by FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Richard Smith, WREN’s grant manager for Cheshire, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the new play facilities at Canterbury Road and pleased our funding will provide such a fantastic facility for children and young families across Blacon.

"WREN is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that make a difference to local communities and we’re really looking forward to seeing this one take shape soon.”