PLAY is to be put back at the heart of the community.

Wrexham Council's lead member for youth services and tackling poverty, Cllr Andrew Atkinson says he wants children's right to play in the county to be taken seriously.

At this month's executive board meeting, members are expected to support the authority's Play Pledge, to protect and improve children's play facilities.

Cllr Atkinson says this does not mean just investing in facilities, but thinking about how to free up streets from cars and other dangers to allow children to play in local environments.

His comments come ahead of Wrexham's annual play day in the town centre in August.

He said: "I think play can sometimes be seen as a juvenile word.

"This is a really important pledge to put play at the heart of the community."

Cllr Atkinson added that he wanted to make play space a real issue to consider when Wrexham Council's planning committee consider proposals, and something developers need to consider as part of their plans for design and layout of housing.

He added: "It is not just about structured play, but children's rights to play, access to space and working to make sure when planning applications come in, play is considered, and keeping public rights of way open.

"Planning is the most obvious area you can influence something like this."

In line with the Welsh Government's Play Sufficiency Duty, Wrexham Council is committed to ensuring children have enough time, space and permission for play as part of their everyday lives.

This is to try and make it easier for children to play out and about in their local neighbourhoods and and at school, and easier for parents and other adults to allow them to do so.

The aim of the Play Pledge is to confirm the authority's commitment to upholding children's right to play and considering how work across the authority may impact upon children's ability to find time and space for playing.

Wrexham will again be taking part in National Play Day, with a large, free event in the town centre from 12pm to 4pm on August 1.