South Elmsall Town Council, which will lead the project, hopes to provide new play equipment for children and teenagers on South Elmsall recreation ground, off Westfield Lane.

The town council will contribute £10,000 towards the project and it hopes to raise the rest of the cash through a bid for funding from Waste Recycling Environmental.

The bid, which needs to be put in by the end of the month, will be lodged by a recently formed community group based in South Elmsall which has been working with the council. The group, which has still to be named, is made up of councillors and community representatives.

The project started in the summer after Sharon Wain and Linda Winks, who were campaigning for a better play area in South Elmsall, presented the town council with a petition signed by about 100 people.

Mum-of-one Mrs Wain, 34, of Westfield Lane, said: "There's not much there and it's quite a big area. There's only one climbing frame and no seating for parents. We often have to sit on the floor in the summer.

"The town council has been keeping us updated with what is going on. I think it's absolutely fantastic that they are trying to get funding."

South Elmsall town councillor Bryan Capstick said: "When I was brought up there were youth clubs in all villages. Play equipment was good back in those days.

"There's little in the community now. It's not a child friendly society we are living in."

Sutcliffe Play, a play equipment designer and manufacturer based on Waggon Lane, Upton, has been consulted about the plans by South Elmsall Town Council and may be chosen to provide the play equipment.

Coun Capstick said the town council would also be looking at surveys filled in by students at Minsthorpe Community College to find out what other youth facilities were needed.

The surveys, which were filled out by 737 pupils, found 33 per cent wanted more leisure activities and 26 per cent wanted more sports activities, 10 per cent wanted more youth centres.

Coun Capstick said: "It would be good to meet the school council. We will look at the responses and put funding bids in according to the children's wishes."

John Gregory, acting principal of Minsthorpe Community College, said: "The suggestions the students make for further community activities also reflects the maturity of our students and how, when they are approached to for surveys of this kind, they give their answers very serious consideration."