ALMOST £20,000 in new funding has been brought to Irvine.

Two Irvine communities will reap the benefits of £19,578 in funding from the Awards for All grant from the Big Lottery Fund as they look to kickstart two new developments in the area.

Woodlands Primary Parent Council have been awarded £10,000 to go towards the construction of new playground equipment.

The new 'Endeavour Space Frame’ and 'Locomotive and Passenger Carriage’, constructed by equipment company Wicksteed, will soon be heaving with kids when it’s constructed in the New Year (see picture right).

The Parent Council posted their joy on their Facebook page, saying: “The Parent Council are delighted to announce that we have been awarded a £10,000 Awards for all grant which we will be using to purchase and install play equipment as shown in the graphic from Wicksteed.

“We still have additional funds to raise before this project commences but hope to proceed in the New Year if all goes to plan.” The Noonday community group, set up by Broomlands and Bourtreehill Baptist Church, were awarded £9,578 to help fund a community project to develop a neglected area of land. This would conclude with a celebratory event at the end of its transformation.

Local MP Brian Donohoe welcomed the new funding to the area.

He said: “This is great news for these two groups which are both deserving of this funding.

“Groups such as Noonday, work hard to try and bring their community together and I am sure the community project this money will help them undertake will be well received by all.

“I am also sure the children of Woodlands Primary School will appreciate their outdoor play equipment and the development of their playground and congratulate the Parent Council on securing the funding.

“It is always good to see projects involving children receiving a helping hand to encourage community cohesion and physical exercise.”