VOLUNTEERS are making a last-ditch bid to realise a dream of creating a safe space for children to play.

Trustees at The Manor Sports and Activities Centre in East Brighton are looking to raise £227,000 to build a multi-use games area, which could be used for a range of outdoor sport and keep-fit activities.

If successful, the new play area at the centre in Manor Road would be built on a 100m by 40m tarmac area which is currently unused. A planning application for four multi-use game areas with floodlights was granted in 2008 but permission has since expired after funding bids with Sport England and the Football Association fell through.

Now organisers are returning with a slightly smaller and cheaper project which they are trying to find funding for.

And the volunteers have received the backing and support of Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby.

The campaign has already raised £105,000 and grant applications have been submitted to Veolia and the Big Lottery Fund, while Mr Kirby has been making enquiries into funding options from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and local organisations.

Les Vickers, a trustee at the centre, said the facility would be unique in the local area and an asset for nearby schools.

He added: “We want to change the site into a 3G pitch with basketball court where children can play in a safe environment with a 3m high fence and floodlighting.

“I thought we should have one final go at getting this money so we can do what we always wanted to do. We only charge £12 an hour to use the centre so it’s affordable for low-income families and groups, our whole ethos is to encourage healthy living and sport activity.

“We are not looking to fundraise with people paying £10 each, we want to raise the money very quickly so we can get it up and running, we are looking for benefactors who want to help develop a sport facility for low-income families in a deprived area.”

Mr Kirby said: “I am right behind the Manor Road project to help improve the facilities on offer in this part of our city, which will benefit local residents enormously and hopefully encourage even more people to use the centre. I have been happy to try and help and will continue to support the trustees going forward.”