Play Rangers are playworkers who organise after school and holiday activities for 5-15 year olds. They normally work outside and in all weathers except during cold winter days when they try to have access to a building.


Funding for the Play Rangers was secured by West Lindsey District Council through the BIG Lottery and Childrens Links manage the project on the Council's behalf.


Chairman of West Lindsey's Community and Waste Services Committee, Coun Irmgard Parrott said: "The sessions are completely free and have taken place throughout the district – in Gainsborough, Bardney, Brookenby, Newtoft, Langworth, Normanby, Scampton and Waddingham. More activities are planned in February half-term."


Play activities have included building and firing rockets as well as making fires and cooking and younger children have also enjoyed getting dressed up, playing games together, using ropes and nets to climb trees and building dens. Older children have tried archery and skateboarding and helped to develop a play day event at the Lincolnshire Showground that included beatboxing, breakdancing, giant waterslides and bungee trampoline.


The sessions have proved popular with children and parents too have been willing to get involved and have used the opportunity to meet up and socialise.


Leader of the council, Coun Bernard Theobald said: "Parents have appreciated that this is a local service which particularly serves the rural villages in the district so it is easy to access and gives their children the opportunity to play safely which they might not otherwise have.


"Some parents have been active as volunteers on the play sites and have received play training so they can help deliver the activities."


The success of the scheme is perhaps best summed up by one mum who said: "My son cried when I said he couldn't go to Play Rangers. He's even missing his McDonalds for this!"


• For more information about the project contact Clare Bryan, Play Development Officer, on (01507) 528300