A NEW round of fundraising has started to bring a popular Millom play area up to date.

The Millom Slag Bank Play Area Association is aiming to raise cash for new equipment and fencing on its site at the bottom of Albert Street which was opened almost 20 years ago.

Today's pictures from The Mail's archive show the opening ceremony in 2000 for the first phase of the play area and a selection of the community events which helped to make it possible.

The association now hopes to add a gravity bowl, a spring-action quad rider and swings, including one with a team seat.

Applications for funding, or prizes to offer in raffles, have been made to several organisations said association chairperson Diane Myers.

She told them: "The play area was set up as a safe area for children to play off the streets and away from traffic after a young boy was hurt when playing on the roadside."

The latest event is a local history talk being held from 7.30pm next Wednesday in the Queen Street Methodist Church, Millom.

Bill Myers will give a presentation called Having Fun in Millom, which will feature images taken through the decades of everything from gala days and street parades to days at the beach and splashing about in the former swimming pool at Millom School.

Admission is £3, which includes tea or coffee and home-made cake.

The Mail, on Monday November 20 in 2000, noted: "The official opening of a new play area in Millom turned into a double celebration at the weekend when the association receive a surprise cash donation of £500.

"It means the Milom Slag Bank Play Area Association can pay the £11,416 bill for the first stage of the play area at the bottom of Albert Street as well as have more than £100 left in the kitty.

"The group is now planning to have a well-deserved rest over Christmas before starting fundraising again to build an adventure play area expected to cost £6,000.

"The £500 cheque was presented by the Furness Lions Association on Saturday.

"Last week the group also received £1,250 from the county council's Neighbourhood Forum."