Schoolchildren have won a £37,500 grant for a new play park in their village – beating more than 30 other Cornish groups.

The youngsters from St Neot decided to take on the task to get a new play area around 18 months ago.

Julie Ball, secretary of St Neot Playing Field Group, said: 'They worked hard canvassing the local community – all ages were asked for their suggestions.

'This taken on board, they started to put together a plan of what would be feasible.'

The children decided they wanted the play area, that will now be funded by the Playbuilder grant, to be made out of wood, and have worked with local businesses to get quotes.

The children held a fundraising evening and received several donations, as well as a grant from the former Caradon District Council for a new goal post.

The children are planning to build dens at the bottom of the field in the summer and asked a local mum to help them build willow domes.

She showed them how to create the two domes and a tepee which are linked together with tunnels.

They are now thinking about putting rustic seats in them or small toadstools.

Julie added: 'Lots of paperwork had to be done – form after form – but the youngsters never gave up, no matter what was thrown at them, and there were many obstacles put in their way.

'Little did these youngsters expect there would be so much for them to see to just to get new play equipment, but stride on they did and wasn't it well worth it?

'The ball is now truly rolling: the equipment is on order, the groundsman has been booked, so soon it will be full steam ahead.

'So if you think you could donate manpower, be sure to offer it to them, they truly deserve it and won't it be a joy to see them playing on the new equipment?'