TWO new zip wires are among the state-of-the-art play facilities that children in Ryedale will have access to, after council chiefs scooped a £200,000 funding jackpot.

Play facilities across the area are set for an overhaul, following the successful bid by Ryedale District Council to The Big Lottery's children's play programme.

Ryedale's Play Forum, which was set up to co-ordinate the bid, has identified seven projects to benefit from the funding - in Hovingham, Lockton, Kirkbymoorside, Nawton, Norton, Pickering and Thornton-le-Dale.

Coun Geoff Acomb, who sits on the play forum, said: "Ryedale District Council has funded play areas and children's projects for many years, and we've contributed a further £50,000 in matched funding for this initiative.

"Working with other members of the Play Forum has been very rewarding, and we hope to continue working together representing all the hard working volunteers out there who run local play areas."

"We're particularly excited about the two new zip wires going in at Hovingham and Nawton."

The Big Lottery Children's Play programme made £124 million available countrywide to local authorities to enhance play facilities, with £200,000 being the maximum amount that Ryedale could bid for.

Jos Holmes, the district council's culture and tourism services manager, said: "Ryedale is unique in that the majority of play facilities are owned and run by community groups at the local level - not the council.

"We contacted as many community volunteers as we could find, and through a series of consultations local volunteers decided which projects should have priority."

Ryedale's "play ranger" scheme, in which qualified play workers provide safe, supervised activities for children, will also benefit from the extra funding.

Environmental improvements are also being planned for Riverside View Play Area, in Norton, and Ryedale View Play Area, in Kirkbymoorside.

Ms Holmes said she would like to hear from residents of all ages who would like to be involved in the projects.

She said: "We will find training and support for people who want to gain experience in play work. but who may lack the confidence or skills to give it a try.

"We can also help with administration issues like Criminal Record Bureau checks."

For more information about the Play Forum, phone 01653 600666, extensiuon 240.

Alternatively, to view Ryedale's play strategy, visit your nearest public library, or log on to www.ryedale.gov.uk and select play.