A MOVE to refurbish play facilities at the Recreation Ground in Watery Lane, Newent, have taken a step forward.

Representatives of Newent Town Council have visited a firm in Redditch to examine a 'play wall' which has been proposed for the site, replacing one of the two sets of swings.

The wall is specially-made to deaden the noise of balls kicked against it, following concerns about noise.

The town council is also examining the cost of laying down special rubber matting as a safety surface, as an alternative to the cheaper bark chippings, which councillors do not think would be as effective.

The council has also received a quote of £33,800 for the cost of installing a new play area for younger children at Lakeside.

It hopes a lot of the money will come from the developers of the Bennions site but has also applied for grants from organisations like the National Playing Fields Association.