New facility to be 'safe and creative environment'

Isle of Play encourages learning through outdoor exploration and group activities

A new building for a charity that encourages children to play will provide a "safe and creative environment" for local children, its chief executive has said.

Isle of Play has been awarded a £25,000 grant by the Manx Lottery Trust to build a new facility at its Douglas-based Lester's Yard Adventure Playground.

Plans for the new facility include a social room, community kitchen, therapeutic suite, and better accessibility.

Chris Gregory said he was "excited about the impact it will have on both the children who use our services and the broader community".

The current play centre on the site enables children to explore various outdoor activities.

The grant will see the expansion of facilities at the Douglas site

The grant was awarded through the Manx Lottery Trust's Thematic Funding programme, which back community projects.

Trust chairman Stephen Turner said the playground "provides a unique and valuable resource" for children in Douglas, offering them "not only a place to play but a supportive community space".

The new building would "further enhance the services they provide", he added.