THOUSANDS of pounds are set to be spent on improving play areas across Flintshire.

Council bosses have given the green light for a programme to invest in sites across the county.

Under the scheme, community councils will pledge an agreed amount of money to update their play areas, which will then be matched by the county council.

Argoed, Leeswood, Saltney, Whitford, Llanfynydd, Treuddyn and Hope community councils have already signed up to take part in the project.

Cllr Nigel Steele-Mortimer, executive member for education and youth, said: “I welcome the success of this scheme and I think it’s a great idea to improve much-needed facilities.

“I think next year it will be even more successful when community councils have had the opportunity to address their budgets.”

The proposal was the brainchild of Treuddyn councillor Carolyn Thomas who was concerned that no money had been set aside in the council’s budget for play areas.

She said: “I was aware that the lifelong learning budget is tight, so suggested we could meet town and community councils halfway with a match funding scheme.

“I am very pleased this has been taken on board and that some town and community councils have been able to match fund what they can afford this year and that the scheme has been accepted in the authority’s base budget so other town and community councils will be able to apply next year.

“It is great to see a return to investment in play areas.“