MICKLEY youngsters will be sliding into 2017 after landing £10,000 to buy new play equipment.

Pupils at Mickley First School are working with local county councillor Anne Dale to develop the Mickley Play Area scheme.

The play area at Riding Dene currently has a football pitch, basketball hoop and equipment for small children, but the youngsters were keen to see something for older children.

The scheme became one of three shortlisted to receive funding from Tesco’s Bags of Help initiative.

Teaming up with Groundwork, the funding scheme offers grants of £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000 to local outdoor community projects.

The money is raised from the store’s 5p bag charge and from October 31 to November 13, customers voted for one of the three projects with a token at the checkout.

And Mickley’s play area plan received the second highest number of votes, meaning it will receive £10,000.

The children are now working with Coun. Dale to agree designs for the new play equipment.

Coun. Dale said: “I am very grateful and would like to thank all of the local people who have supported us.

“We can now determine exactly which equipment can be purchased, and will be finalising the details with the children at the school during the next few weeks.”

Coun. Ian Swithenbank, cabinet member for local services at Northumberland County Council added: “This is a great project, developed locally, which will benefit many generations of young Mickley residents.”

From December 1, customers have been able to vote for local groups all year round, every time they shop, and grants will be awarded monthly – meaning that thousands more projects will benefit from the scheme.

Anyone can nominate a local project and local organisations can apply. Visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp to find out more.