A FUNDRAISING appeal has been set up to install a much-needed children's play area in a Dudley park.

The Friends of Green Park have launched the appeal to raise the shortfall of £8,000 needed to reach their £50,000 target to buy and install a play area for youngsters in the community.

The park on Watsons Green Road has gone from strength to strength over the years with the addition of sports facilities and a community kitchen thanks to Lottery money, but supporters say more is needed for the children in the area.

Councillor Shaukat Ali, ward councillor for St Thomas who is a member of the Friends, said: "We have been working on this for years as people have said that there isn't anywhere for children to play.

"We want local people to be involved, it's their park and their facility."

The group has already secured £42,000 through section 106 money and other sources, but £8,000 is now needed to reach the £50,000 goal and make the play area a reality.

Donations can be made here: http://bit.ly/2kkIPgL

If successful, the park could see the addition of cross trainers, climbing boulders and scramble nets.

Cllr Ali said: "If there are any businesses out there that can help, every small amount will help."

The Friends are working hard to get more young people to use the park, and are now running free football training sessions for children and teenagers every Saturday morning from 10.30am to 1pm.

With the final push for donations now underway, Councillor Ali hopes the play area will be opened next summer.

He added: "We've been working on this for years, it's now we can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel."