MORE community cash could be sought by Calderdale Council to upgrade children's play areas.

A report says community involvement has been very successful.

It highlights a skateboard area at Centre Vale Park in Todmorden, which was jointly developed with the Drug Action Team and youth group Rampage.

A council spokesman said replacement equipment and refurbishment of Calderdale's 123 play areas was now paid for from the play equipment budget of £107,000.

But he said the present refurbishment programme meant play areas had to wait for 62 years before being replaced as part of the programme.

The spokesman said it had become nonsense to have a 62-year programme, as equipment became dated and children and adults became bored.

This, in turn, could lead to apathy and vandalism.

The report - to go to the council's community services scrutiny panel on Thursday - concludes equipped play areas form an essential part of children's and young people's development.

Them report also said the health and social benefits gained at an early age would stay for life.