THE Beaminster Playground Action Group is overjoyed to have secured just over £36,000 for new play equipment in the town's memorial playing field.

The driving forces behind the action group - Lisa Layton, Jane Chamberlain, Jo Jones and Debbie Boyer - are also aware that they have to thank all the people who became involved in the campaign.

They said: "We would like to thank everyone who took the time to sign our petitions or sent letters of support. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Oliver Letwin MP, Sir James Spicer, Nicky Whittenam, the Beaminster Town Council, especially chairman Derek Wenn, for their ongoing support.

"We are looking forward to working with the town council to get the new equipment installed as soon as possible."

The action group has called an open meeting to show the proposals to anyone in the town who has not seen them.

"We would welcome any comments or suggestions on what the people in Beaminster would like to see installed in the playground."

Anyone who wants to see the ideas or make suggestions of their own is welcome upstairs at the youth centre on Wednesday November 28 between 9.10am and 12.30pm.

Jane Chamberlain said: "It just goes to show what a group of mums, whose only interest is to improve facilities for children in Beaminster, can achieve. We are absolutely delighted."

The talking isn't all finished though. At Monday's meeting of Beaminster town council there were concerns about meeting the cost of maintenance and about whether the council wanted to see some of their own equipment thrown out in favour of the new.

The proposal was made for the action group to discuss all the details with the town council, possibly at their December meeting.

Chairman Derek Wenn said there was some urgency as the company quoting for the new equipment had raised their prices by three per cent but would be willing to hold them - for a while.