A group of parents has amassed enough cash to start work on a children's playground.

The playground fund-raisers, at Soulby, near Kirkby Stephen, have just received an £880 boost courtesy of Cumbria Co-op's community dividend fund.

The money will enable the group to buy a cradle swing for toddlers.

The Soulby residents started the campaign two years ago, as there are no facilities for the 35 children in the village.

They hope to launch the playground on land beside the village hall in spring 2001.

In addition to the play equipment, seating and picnic benches are also planned.

Fundraisers are pictured left receiving the community divident award from Dave Weedall (back right), of Cumbrian Co-op's northern divisional committee who awarded the grant.

(Contributed picture)