POPULAR TV presenter Jonathan Ross has donated cash to help transform an ailing Purbeck play area.

The Langton Matravers Play Project is a community group, which was set up in 2006 to improve the play area in the village's Playing Fields, which consists of just four swings installed in 1985.

It has raised a staggering £25,000 to revamp the play area, including a grant of £13,500 from the Purbeck Community Partnership, £9,893 of National Lottery funding and donations from local organisations.

The group also wrote to Jonathan Ross, who has a holiday home in nearby Swanage. He sent a cheque for £500 enclosed in a letter where he said he hoped the group reached its target.

Project manager Tracey Stone, said: "The play area is very popular, particularly with children from nearby St George's School at the end of a school day.

"It's been a fantastic effort and we're really pleased, particularly as we have managed to raise the cash so quickly. We thought it would take a lot longer."

The Langton Matravers Parish Plan for 2005 showed that a significant number of residents felt that some extra play equipment would be beneficial.

Children were invited to vote for their favourite play activities at St George's School fete in 2006 and the results were used to decide on the new play equipment, which will include slides, climbing frames and a play boat.

Work has started installing the new play equipment and fundraising will continue for extra seating and to update the safety surfacing under the existing swings.