EXCITED children are dreaming big after being offered the chance to design their perfect play park.

The run-down North Lonsdale play area in Ulverston has not been updated for a quarter-of-a-century.

But now, South Lakeland District Council is currently halfway towards its fundraising total of £80,000 to rebuild it - and bosses have enlisted the help of youngsters to tell them what they want it to look like.

Polly Straker, locality team leader at SLDC, said the council wanted to involve the community in every part of the design process.

“We wanted to engage with the community and get their views on what they would like the park to become,” she said.

“We thought if we involved the community from the beginning, they would be more likely to look after the park in the future.”

The response from the community has been ‘promising’, said Ms Straker.

“We’ve had quite a few residents and their children let us know some exciting new ideas,” she said.

“We want the park to cater up until 14-year-olds so there’s lots of different elements we’re considering.”

Full-time carer Samantha Newby said she hoped the park would provide exciting equipment for her autistic son.

She said: “A park is great for allowing autistic kids to work off their frustration, anger and stress in a healthy, outdoor environment.

“A lot of the time, autistic children need physical contact to feel security.”

Fellow mum Samantha Rattigan said the plans were a ‘brilliant idea’ to help bring the community together.

She said: “We don’t currently come to the park because the equipment isn’t suitable so it would be great to have some newer stuff for all age groups.

“We’d definitely come to the park if improvements were made and it was made more toddler-friendly.”

The park is hoped to be completed by next summer.