PLAY opportunities for children throughout the borough are set to take another step forward following a survey.The borough council had an excellent response to a survey asking residents what sort of play facilities they would like to see in the borough and the results will be fed into the improvements to be made in the new year, funded by Big Lottery cash.

PLAY opportunities for children throughout the borough are set to take another step forward following a survey.

The borough council had an excellent response to a survey asking residents what sort of play facilities they would like to see in the borough and the results will be fed into the improvements to be made in the new year, funded by Big Lottery cash.

Adrian Barnes, Yarmouth's play development worker, said: “I would like to thank all who took part in the recent Play Survey which had an amazing response with more than 2,400 people, both children and adults, taking part.

“The results of the survey will inform future play developments across the borough. The latest news on play facilities is that the popular nest swings are being reinstated in Gorleston Recreation Ground, Gorleston's Hawthorne Crescent and Newtown's Fisher's Avenue ready for the Christmas holidays, after problems with finding suitable replacements for original fixings which regularly failed.”

Adrian is also keen to highlight the important role of play over the Christmas period.

He added: “Our children present us with ever lengthening, ever costly Christmas wish lists reflecting the adverts they have seen on TV. Subject to available cash, we do our best to satisfy their wishes, wondering what became of all the toys so eagerly desired last year.

“Photos albums show us that memories are made of people and experiences. This is welcome news for families seeking to do the best for their children in the current financial climate.”

Mr Barnes said letting children play was one of the best things that parents could do for them and promoted the benefits of the 'five portions a day,' concept as it applied to fruit and vegetables.

It has also been suggested that as well as those five portions a day, children should be given the opportunity to engage in a minimum of three portions of 'Play' a day. Play experiences should be balanced to include physical, imaginative and creative play.

Physical play opportunities are provided in 89 playgrounds across the borough.

These playgrounds offer more than 750 items of play equipment available seven days a week at no charge to the user.

Parks, beaches and family gardens provide additional opportunities for physical play.

Mr Barnes hoped families would be able to make use of these as they enjoyed some 'memory making' hours over Christmas.

For further information about Play in Great Yarmouth contact Adrian Barnes, play development worker, by e-mail adrianbarnes@gyslt.com or telephone 01493 851521.

Play Development in Yarmouth is funded by the Council's successful Big Lottery Fund bid.