'THRILLING' is the verdict among fund-

raisers at Bream Early Learners who've just heard that their £50,000 bid for a village play park has been successful.

If all goes well, the new play park should be finished and ready to use by Easter, depending on the weather of course.

The Early Learners committee has been working with West Dean Parish Council for well over a year to obtain funding from the National Lottery Community Spaces programme.

The proposed play area will be within the grounds of the West Dean Centre and has been designed for children aged eight and under in mind, as there is currently no suitable play equipment for this age group within the village.

Bream villagers have played a very important part in the process – questionnaires completed as part of the Bream Village Plan provided a strong indication that this park was needed. Local publicity and consultation that took place over the spring and summer this year in the village and particularly within Bream C of E School confirmed this.

The new park hopes to inspire younger children to play together on exciting equipment, which

includes traditional elements, such as swings and a roundabout, as well as some more challenging elements like a climbing wall and fireman's pole.

With funding now confirmed, a display board showing the final design will be available in the foyer of the West Dean Centre, Bream, until Christmas.

"This is excellent news for the whole community, and my congratulations to the Bream Early Learners play park committee who has worked so hard to achieve this fantastic result," says Ian Hendy, chairman of West Dean Parish Council.

Christine Wakerley, project manager for Bream Early Learners, added: "On behalf of the committee I would like to thank all those who got involved during the consultation process. We have received fantastic drawings and ideas from children and adults alike, and this involvement has ultimately helped the project to be successful."