WATCHET children are riding high after a local charity and the town council got together to fund a new piece of play equipment.

The Flexus stand-up swing has now been installed in the children’s play area of the Memorial Ground, thanks to funding from local charity Watchet Roots, which won a bid for £4,545 from the Co-op Local Community Fund.

Watchet Town Council worked in partnership with the charity, approving and supporting its offer for the equipment to be installed on the council land, and also contributing £1,000 towards the installation and safety surface.

Gill Hall, chairman of Watchet Roots, a small charity which aims to promote the health and happiness of children and their families in West Somerset, said: “The new equipment is a great addition to the children’s play apparatus, encouraging them and their families to get out and enjoy the fresh air and physical activity in beautiful surroundings.

“It was purchased following an application to the Co-op Community Fund which supports community causes, so thanks go to them, together with a big thank you to Watchet Town Council.”

Cllr Loretta Whetlor, chairman of the town council’s tourism and leisure committee, thanked Watchet Roots for “the wonderful offer of funding, allowing the council the opportunity to add yet more innovative equipment to the play area for children to enjoy”.

“This demonstrates excellent partnership working,” she said.