MIRFIELD groups and leisure facilities will benefit from a cash boost.

The Mirfield Area Committee is to look at plans to improve play areas in local recreation grounds and make grants towards community projects.

Kirklees leisure services will submit their plans for Knowl park and Stocksbank recreation ground to the committee for consideration.

Clr Beverley Warby, who has the responsibility for young people's issues in Mirfield, said: "We are pleased, at last, to see some investment in Mirfield.

"Whilst it is nowhere near as much as areas such as Ravensthorpe, Heckmondwike and others have seen, it is a move in the right direction.

"We now need the users to look at the plans and say if they are happy with them."

Also at the meeting, applications will be considered for a number of grants to projects in Mirfield.

The issues have been identified by local councillors during consultation with residents and preparation for the Committee's Community Action Plan.

Projects due for consideration include security fencing around some facilities in Mirfield memorial park, an innovative 'Youth Pod' in Hopton and an information board for Mirfield town centre.

Councillors have also agreed that they will spend more than £40,000 on repairs and improvements to footpaths and street lighting.

The chairman of the Area Committee, Clr Martyn Bolt, said: "We have identified where we think the money will be best spent."

The meeting takes place at 7pm next Monday at the Salvation Army Hall, Huddersfield Road, Mirfield.