TODDLERS staying at a north Lancashire holiday park have been provided with a £20,000 play zone which could put them – quite literally - on the path to peak fitness.

Silverdale Holiday Park's new soft play area is designed to help develop the skills needed to tackle Cumbria's world-famous fells.

The colourful multi-level mini-gym presents a series of fun challenges which are tackled with a combination of climbing, scrambling, clambering and crawling.

But while the youngsters are enjoying themselves, they are also preparing to take on more grown-up activities, according to park owner Michael Holgate.

Benefits will include developing muscular strength, hand-eye coordination, flexibility, balance, endurance and agility as the calories burn away.

Mr Holgate said the new facility – created by international play designers Soft Brick – is in keeping with modern holiday trends.

"Once upon a time, a holiday in Cumbria for most people involved little more than driving around the beauty spots and calling into a tea-room," he said.

"But families today are much more keen to put action and adventure on their itineraries, and fell walking is among the most popular of pastimes.

"That's why we asked our designers to mimic as much as possible the type of physical challenges which are likely to be encountered when ascending upland areas.

"By helping youngsters to develop the necessary skills and dexterity, we hope to prepare them for a lifetime's love of discovering Lakeland's fantastic mountain landscape."