PLAY in Tower Hamlets has been given a �231,000 boost.

The National Lottery has given the cash for four years to Play Association Tower Hamlets for work to encourage social landlords to give children space to play and make them welcome to play.

The money will also be used to build up a network of ‘play champions’ - children who get other children involved in play and make sure they get the support of the community.

They will be actively involved in the planning of play as junior play champions and encourage other children to come out and play, feeling confident that they have the right to play and be seen in the street and spaces where they live. A website will also be developed with the cash.

Eleanor Image, play development worker said: “Children need to be able to play on their doorsteps.

“It’s about creating a more friendly community.”

The cash means that a play outreach worker will work with landlords to make sure that children who live away from playgrounds and do not have gardens have somewhere they can play.

A play outreach worker will work with the landlords of housing estates, where children are furthest from playgrounds and have no access to gardens, to create areas where the children can play freely with the support of residents.

Glenys Tolley, director at Play Association Tower Hamlets, said: “Imagine this space, no people, movement or sound. Now imagine children playing, adults chatting, laughing and sharing experiences.

“With this Lottery grant Play Association Tower Hamlets will work with children and communities to restore a culture of play close to home which is at the heart of a healthy community.”