A PLAY park in Flintshire is now safer for children and their families courtesy of a joint community effort.

The work, which was safe and socially distanced, took place on March 23 to spread 40 cubic metres of [lay bark safety surface at Llanferres Park, on the Flintshir-Dnbighshire border.

Sean Thomas, chairman of the community charity which manages, fundraises and maintains the park, said "We'd ordered a much needed replenishment of our playground safety surface during early February but it only got delivered on that Monday.

"With short notice, the loyal and committed local volunteers turned out in sufficient numbers, spread throughout late morning to afternoon, and managed to spread with wheel barrows, one ton sacks, shovels, brushes and rakes the lorry load into the three play sections of the park.

"Given the possibility of a stricter lockdown, which came at the end of the day, the range of volunteers evidenced the goodwill within Llanferres and we had the very young to the not so young turning out."

The cost of the play bark was majority funded with support from Flintshire Local Voluntary Council (FLVC) - which manages a fund supporting good causes in the CH7 postcode catchment area - as well as from the Bryn Gwalia Bowling Club fund and from the Llanferres Playing Field and Recreation Association charity's reserve resources.

Sean added: "It costs us around £2,000 per annum to manage and maintain the park where the majority of funds come from local fund raising efforts.

"Major capital expenditure, such as the play bark, needs grant support so we are extremely grateful to FLVC for their support."

Sean updated people on fundraising events amid the coronavirus crisis: "We have rightly cancelled one major fundraising race night event scheduled at the Druid Inn, Llanferres, and we may need to cancel another planned for May 31 - the MTB Mountain Bike Ruthin marshalling, so if any park users, local companies or grant bodies wish to support us please get in touch.

"We know many users of the park travel from the wider Ruthin and Mold areas to please look on our Facebook page for how you can support us https://www.facebook.com/LPFRA/"