Pictured above: (l-r) Lucy Orrey, age 9, Ray Cucksey, Parish Council chairman and Steve Robinson, general manager at the Branston site

Branston Ltd is helping local children to get active and has donated £7,500 towards new playground equipment in the local area.

Branston, the UK's largest potato supplier, donated the money to Branston Parish Council to help to top up a community grant that was awarded for the installation of new equipment at both Branston and Branston Booths playgrounds.

Sarah Stead, the parish clerk said: "The need to improve the playgrounds in both villages has been a bit of an issue for a while now, as there was nothing for older children to play on and it was all a bit dated and boring. We needed a certain amount of money to enable us to upgrade the play areas in both villages and the grant alone was not enough for both. 

"Branston really stepped in to fill the gap and we are so grateful for their help, as without their kind donation, we couldn't have gone ahead with all our plans. The areas are now up and running and the children are delighted. We have already received letters and emails from them and their parents saying how thrilled they are."

The new playground is timber-based and includes a play trail where children can travel around the equipment without their feet touching the floor, as well as a balance beam, monkey bars, climbing bars, and a giant swing.

Mark Willcox, development director at Branston, says: "We are always looking to support community projects and were more than happy to help to make up the money needed by the council to ensure the playground improvements could go ahead. We feel that is it a really worthwhile cause that will give children somewhere safe to play and help them to stay active. We hope they will get many years of pleasure out of these great facilities."