06 October 2006 00:00 Central Networks helps Leicestershire community group to build a safe place for children to play

Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, has awarded Burton on the Wolds Playing Field Association a grant of £1,525 to build a safety fence between a well-used children’s playground and the adjacent football and cricket pitches.

The grant comes from the company’s £70,000 Safer Environment Fund which was launched earlier this year.

The fencing will create a secure enclosure to protect the children and have the added benefit of keeping stray dogs away from the play area.

Customer Operations Manager Phil Wilson said: “The playing field has been a central fixture in Burton on the Wolds for almost 40 years. As part of its plans, the Playing Field Association has decided to put up a safety fence to protect the playground.

“Parents will be able to relax in the knowledge that the new fence will prevent youngsters from the danger of being hit by balls from the neighbouring cricket and football pitch.

“We asked for local groups to come up with schemes that are designed to have a lasting and positive effect on the local environment and that’s just what Burton on the Wolds Playing Field Association has done. We think that these improvements will make a real difference to the community.

Andy Reed, local MP for Burton on the Wolds said: “Parents, children, dog walkers and older people all use this area and the improvements that are being made will mean that all local residents can use the playing field in a safe environment. I am delighted that Central Networks are putting in this investment locally to support the Wolds Playing Field Association in improving the local area".

The fund is still open to all local community groups and not for profit organisations with their own bank account located in the Central Networks distribution region, which covers central England. For more information and to download an application form visit www.central-networks.co.uk/sef.

Ends
Notes to editors:
• Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.9 million customers across central England through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;
• Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For further information contact:
Jamee Majid 024 7618 3679
Ellie King 024 7618 3678
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