A SOUTH Lakes playground area is set to undergo a renovation that could take 12 months and is expected to cost at least £120,000.

The decision to close Staveley playground at the end of this month has followed an inspection by the district council and minor injuries to children at the site.

Clive Johnson, chairman of the village association, said an inspection conducted by a district council officer around a month ago had deemed the site was now 'high risk'.

"There's been a couple of children that have slightly hurt themselves, which obviously raises the point of safety again," said Mr Johnson.

"Rather than repair the equipment, we'd rather close the playground and replace the equipment and get everything done right.

"It's a very popular playground.

"People do come from other places - Kendal, Windermere.

"We do know some schools that come, nursery schools that bring the children for a day out and come and use it."

A total of £30,000 has been collected to carry out phase one of the project, despite fundraising efforts being curtailed by the pandemic.

The planned work would include path improvements and the creation of a pump track - of between 1,000 and 1,500 square metres in size - adjacent to the site.

"We are trying to make it better for everybody, not just children," said Mr Johnson, 71.

"We are trying to encourage all ages."

Mr Johnson said it was expected the project would cost 'at least' £120,000 overall and take, as a rough estimate, in the region of 12 months - although the playground is scheduled to be closed for a shorter time. He said the 'priority' was the playground before the other stages of the scheme were tackled.

Fundraising efforts to secure this money are ongoing and include a Halloween dance taking place at the village hall on Saturday.

Plans are set to be submitted to South Lakeland District Council imminently.