Play park improvement work after boys' campaign

The boys collected hundreds of signatures asking for improvements to the play park

Work to improve a village play park is due to be carried out after a successful campaign by young residents, it has been confirmed.

Ethan, 12, and Kaelan, 13, from Flimby in Cumbria, collected about 600 signatures on a petition last month asking Cumberland Council for their local facility to be upgraded.

Their plea received the support of the area's MP Josh MacAlister, who met with them and local councillors to hear their concerns.

The Labour-led authority confirmed some work would be carried out over the summer.

Beverley Fee, Ethan's mum, said the boys were delighted with their achievement.

"They're really happy," she said. "At first I think they thought it might turn out to be a waste of time, but they're pleased to hear about the work."

'Kings of Flimby'

The council said some work was already planned and they would look at "further ways of putting the community aspirations into action".

"We've highlighted the work that was already planned and we have taken on board comments from the children and will work with them on future improvements," a spokesman said.

Labour MP MacAlister said he would work to secure the funding needed for further work to update the park.

"Flimby deserves a top notch playground and the repair work this summer is the first step to get us there," he said.

Ms Fee said the two boys were proud with the response they received to their campaign, including from Netherhall School, which they attend.

Deputy headteacher Mark Bailey shared their achievement on the school's Facebook page and praised them for their efforts.

He wrote: "These two legends really are two of the kings of Flimby and should be rightly lauded for their commitment to improving life for the residents of their community."