YEARS of hard work has paid off after a £185,000 project which will see Mee Brow play area in Culcheth transformed received a major funding boost.

Warrington Borough Council's funding application to WREN for the Culcheth site, on Warrington Road, has been successful.

The money will cover £50,000 of the £185,000 total project cost.

Cllr Matt Smith (LAB – Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft) said: "We began this process a number of years ago, bringing senior council officers out to visit the play area and explaining the circumstances which made investment in Mee Brow a high priority.

"The play area has largely been left to deteriorate for many years now and is in serious need of work."

Fellow ward councillors Joan Grime and Jan Davidson also welcomed the news.

Cllr Grime said: "During a consultation last year we worked with residents to ensure a high volume of responses supporting the renovation and demonstrating substantial support for the project."

Cllr Davidson added: "Residents in Mee Brow tell us they feel their area gets forgotten about.

"The condition of the play area has reinforced this in recent years.

"Now we will finally see the investment the area has so long deserved, which we pledged to secure during the last election, and demonstrating our commitment to every part of this ward."

The bid was backed by Cllr Tony Higgins, executive board member for leisure and community.

He said: "I'm immensely proud of the work we have done to secure investment in parks and play schemes in recent years, including this project in Mee Brow.

"I look forward to its eventual completion."