A POPULAR play area at Berry Hill is in line for a massive make-over, if local people get their way.
A committee is to be formally elected later this month to bring about a reverse in fortunes for the area of land at Crowash.
The land is owned by West Dean parish council and chairman John Marchant explained: "We are looking for a partnership with local people to improve the area. Whatever they raise we will match so that improvements can be carried out."
Mr Marchant said similar schemes had worked in other areas and he was pleased a new group was emerging at Berry Hill to take responsibility for the facilities.
"It does run in cycles. Parents take responsibility when their children are of an age to use the areas, but then they drop out until a new group emerges," he said.
A 'shadow' committee has already organised a first meeting of interested people to be held at Berry Hill Social Club on Friday, February 21at 7.30pm.
"We hope a lot of local people will turn out to offer their support as we need to organise fund-raising events so that improvements can be carried out such as renovating equipment or providing new items and even a football pitch," said acting treasurer Mrs Jane Russell.
At the moment the chair is being taken by Julie Howard with Faye Howells as secretary.
"The parish council is being very supportive. It is quite a large area and we are all optimistic it could become a very nice facility," said Mrs Russell.
•Interested in helping? Telephone Jane on Dean 836263.