Momentum is building in a community campaign looking to reinstate a disused swing park in West Kilbride.

Campaigners are working behind the scenes with North Ayrshire Council to reopen the Craufurd swing park in the village for youngsters to enjoy.

A rallying call to the community brought out more than 30 youngsters to the park for a show of support, with the Community Roots group leading the charge to bring it back into use.

Local mum Laura Parker was one of those who campaigned against the park's closure in 2018, and says an upcoming consultation event will be a chance for the village to show its real support for the project.

She explained: “We have been working in the background with the council for over a year to have a community asset transfer, long term lease or purchase of the land.

“Becoming a charity was one of the steps required for us to be able to do this, and we will source funding to equip and maintain the park should the transfer be successful.

“We will be leading a community consultation in June to see what families want there, and we want a big turnout from the village.

“This is the next stage of the process and it’s vital to shaping what we do next, and will be where you get to tell us what you want for the park.”

Laura has hailed residents for turning out to show their support for the project, and has issued a call for old photographs of the park in use.

She said: “Thanks to the residents of Craufurd Avenue, Simson Avenue and nearby who came out to chat about our plans to facilitate getting a functioning park back.

“A special thanks to all the children who turned out for this and to pose for a photo showing the support.

“Many of us have grown up in the village and enjoyed playing there with our friends, and some of us have had our children play there.

“If you have some vintage pictures of the park in use then we can use these in a visual for the consultation event.”

Campaigners say more help is needed to make the community’s dreams of returning the swing park to use a reality.

Laura added: “We know that losing the park has been a hugely negative experience to the local area, but we want to empower you to take it back and have the equipment that you want installed.

“The bottom line is that this will be no easy task, and is not one that we can do with only a few people.

“The honest truth is that there are no guarantees it will happen, but we need to try our absolute hardest to make this happen.

“We need all the support we can get as we have heard so many times of people's disappointment and sadness at the loss of one of our popular swing parks.”

The project’s steering group is looking to expand. If you are interested in getting involved email hello@community-roots.org.uk.