WORCESTERSHIRE'S largest social housing provider has donated thousands of pounds which is to be used to purchase new play equipment for Hartlebury youngsters.

Fortis Living made a donation of £5,000 to a Hartlebury Parish Council earlier this year, from its spending money improving local environments (SMILE) fund.

Each year the social landlord set aside £60,000 to help its customers make improvements to their local communities.

The project – which will be completed by November – will benefit the residents of Hartlebury with the play equipment located in the heart of the village on the green.

Zoe Davies, customer engagement officer at Fortis Living, said: “Our SMILE fund is all about helping people to make a difference to the areas where they live, from creating attractive and safe environments to improving social or recreational facilities.

"The new play equipment in Hartlebury will ensure local children are healthy and active and will serve as an area where villagers can come together socially.”

Sandra Hickman, from Hartlebury Parish Council, added: “We are absolutely delighted that our application to the Fortis SMILE fund has been successful.

"It means that we will be able to purchase an outdoor tennis table and a piece of play equipment called a bird’s nest swing, which will not only be enjoyed by our Fortis residents, but by the wider Hartlebury community.”

Hartlebury Parish Council is a group of both elected and co-opted councillors who work to make Hartlebury a better place to live.

Fortis Living provides more than 15,000 homes throughout Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

The Worcester News recently reported on Fortis' latest award success in the TPAS awards, after being shortlisted for a diversity award at the Housing Awards 2018.

Meanwhile work on Fortis's brand new office base in Midland Road got underway earlier this year.