SUFFOLK parents' fears for the safety of their children at play have been heeded with the offer of free land for a purpose-built playground.Nearly 300 residents in Great Finborough signed a petition urging Mid Suffolk District Council to act over recreation facilities in the village near Stowmarket.

SUFFOLK parents' fears for the safety of their children at play have been heeded with the offer of free land for a purpose-built playground.

Nearly 300 residents in Great Finborough signed a petition urging Mid Suffolk District Council to act over recreation facilities in the village near Stowmarket.

The response of the council, a major landholder in the village, was to grant villagers two plots of land free of charge for use as a playground and to offer further assistance to help purchase play equipment.

Concerned parents have said that their children are being forced to play in busy roads or isolated fields where it is difficult to watch over them.

Bob Cray, a district councillor for the area who also holds the leisure and amenities portfolio, told fellow councillors on Mid Suffolk's executive committee of the "obvious need" for proper playing facilities.

Since Great Finborough's school playground was locked up outside school hours, he added that he would back moves "wholeheartedly" to provide a freely accessible playground

Councillors decided council officers would help Great Finborough's parish councillors find information on suitable grant aid to equip a playground – although they stressed it was the responsibility of the parish council to purchase the necessary equipment.