LIVERPOOL playgrounds are set to receive £1m of government funding in an attempt to combat childhood obesity in the city.

Two new play areas will be created in the north of the city, at Newsham Park and Rice Lane, as part of the “Playbuilder Funding Scheme”.

A further 20 existing playgrounds will be modernised and upgraded with the cash windfall.

The scheme is aimed at eight to 13-year-olds and will be completed over a two-year period.

It is part of the national “Fair Play” initiative which focuses on developing outdoor activity spaces to tackle child obesity.

Cllr Berni Turner said: “We want to do as much as we can to encourage youngsters to turn off their televisions and get out into their local playground.

“We know it will benefit them physically and give them the opportunity to interact with other children and develop their social skills.”

Local children will be asked to help design the playgrounds and to suggest what equipment they would like to play with.

Schools, residents, local businesses and ward councillors will also be involved in the consultation process.

The council is expected to approve the funding for the scheme on April 24.