Elderslie Community Council has shared an emotional message after plans to transform a run down play park to a huge stride forward.

The group was successful in securing a grant of £50,000, bringing the overall amount they have raised to £60,000.

The park in Queen’s Road will be overhauled to make it inclusive to everyone and create numerous play opportunities for children a young people.

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A statement from the community council said it was “incredibly proud to have secured a grant of £50,000 from Renfrewshire Council’s green spaces fund.”

It continued: “Many hours of work have gone into this application including a visit to Wallace School to engage the children in deciding the facilities we are looking to put into the park.

“One of the main reasons we were successful in this application is the engagement of the community and the amount of money we have already managed to raise.

“Remember we have managed to raise over £10,000 by our own efforts.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every person who has attended a summer fayre, a Christmas fayre, a quiz night, a disco, donated time and/or money or raffle prizes – we simply cannot thank you all enough.

“Over the next few weeks we will be engaging with Renfrewshire Council to agree to timeframes and decide on priorities.

“In the meantime we will continue our fundraising efforts so that we can give Elderslie the best facilities we possibly can.”

The community council had applied for funding to the Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund.

The application was given the green light by councillors at Tuesday’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board.

The group is looking to raise a total of £94,000, having already raised more than £10,000 through various events, including a recent bagpack at B&M in Paisley.

A dozen or so volunteers worked hard and were overjoyed to have made £358, which brings the community council has raised on its own to £10,366.87.

The group is currently awaiting the outcome of applications to the Flight Path Fund and Aviva Group.