A DISUSED play area on the edge of Coalpit Heath is to be transformed into the district's first ever children's adventure park thanks to lottery funding.

The Westerleigh Parish Council led project to turn Newman Field, off Ram Hill, into a nature themed park has got the go-ahead after winning £35,000 of lottery money.

The park will be designed to encourage more children into natural play'.

It could include old tree trunks for balancing walks, football pitches, wood built dens and an auditorium for children to perform outdoor plays.

The two acre parish field was donated to the Henfield community in the 1930s by local farmer Joe Newman, but has been left disused in recent years.

Cllr George Twin, chairman of the parish council's Newman Field Committee, said it was great news for play provision in the parish.

He said: "This will be an exciting adventure park which will get more children outside playing in their natural environment.

"It will encourage children to go outside more and get involved in outdoor activities like climbing trees and building dens."

The project was the brainchild of Karen Mitchell, chairman of the Friends of Newman Field.

The friends' organisation is a group of parents in the village who are campaigning for improved play provision.

Mrs Mitchell said: "This is fantastic news for anyone with children in the Coalpit Heath area.

"We thought up the idea after hearing the council was receiving national lottery money for play projects like this.

"But I never thought we would get £35,000 for an adventure park near our homes, it's great news for everybody."

The Newman Field Committee is to start a consultation in January with the parish's parents and children on what to have in the park.

Members of the committee will then meet up with a South Gloucestershire landscaping adviser to draw up the plans.

Cllr Twinn added: "We are to send leaflets out in schools, play groups and at the local post office.

"We want everyone to have a say in what's needed in the park."

Once a plan has been submitted, work on the park is expected to start in April with an estimated completion time of 12 months.