BROMSBERROW Primary hopes to transform a neglected area of land on the school site into a new play area for the community, and it is hoping that grant money can be provided from the Tesco's Bags of Help scheme.

The scheme considers applications for money, raised from the sale of carrier bags, to assist local community projects.

Voting to decide which scheme should benefit will start at the town store on October 31.

The three local good causes seeking the vote of shoppers will including Bromsberrow Primary, the Ledbury Swifts football team, which has applied for the planned new Football Development Centre, off Little Marcle Road, in collaboration with Ledbury Town Football Club, and needs funding for this; and the Salter's Hill charity for adults with learning difficulties, which is based at Falcon Lane.

Salter's Hill wants to develop a field at Salter’s Hill Barn into "an accessible and multifunctional sensory garden and outdoor gym", which was also be used by the wider community.

A Bromsberrow St Mary's Primary School spokesman said of the plans for a new play area: "As a school serving a diverse and rural population, with children coming to us from Bromsberrow Heath, Ledbury, Dymock and surrounding areas, it is important to us that the school feels and functions as a hub for the community.

"We run a parent and toddler group onsite, which is very well attended and popular; this provides families in the local area with a valuable resource, an opportunity to socialise and feel part of a community in an area with limited facilities and opportunities for young families. Groups like this can provide a real lifeline for rural communities, encouraging people to move into an area, which has something extra to offer.

"The spokesman added: "It is our belief that the school as a government resource should be used and opened up creatively to its community; the toddler group use our preschool outdoor area and school hall facilities and we have opened up our hall to host other events in the local area, such as a local history event. To extend upon this approach, we are seeking funding through the Tesco Bags of Help charity to transform a rather neglected piece of land into an outdoor playground for our families.

"This will provide an area for children, two to six years old, to access during and after school and for parents to be secure in the knowledge that there is a safe and stimulating area for their younger children to play. The village of Bromsberrow Heath currently has no playground, which means that local children have nowhere to play safely outside in their neighbourhood, so the school site is really important to them. The play area will purpose built to encourage play and exploration."