A SUMMER playscheme based just outside Gargrave is making a desperate appeal for funding.

PlayAway, at Eshton Grange, will once again run a six week playscheme for Craven eight to 12 year olds over the long summer break.

And the centre, which is run by a charity which runs residential breaks for inter-city children during school time, is hoping its applications for cash from groups, including Skipton Building Society and Craven District Council, will be a success.

"We ask parents for donations, but we really rely on grants and money is very slow at coming in," said centre manager Mark Hughes.

The scheme costs the charity around £15,000 every year to run and usually gets around just £3,000 from parents - the rest coming in from grants.

A minibus will collect and drop children off every day from the Coach Street car park, Skipton. Children will also be taken on a trip to Liverpool, which in the past has included a visit to see the city's Lord Mayor.

Parents wanting to book their children into the scheme - or offer a donation - can contact PlayAway on 01756 749334.