PLAYING fields in Dowlish Wake have been given a spruce up ahead of winter thanks to a local firm.

Branston, which produces potatoes at Seavington St Michael, gave £600 to The Dowlish Wake Playing Field Trust to help repair damage from last winter’s severe weather.

As well as providing financial support, five volunteers from its site near Ilminster went along to help with repair work.

Richard Elliott, Andy Clennan, Kye Davies, Victor Okoko and Dariusz Mitura sorted through a mountain of soil to remove stones and roots.

Last year’s heavy rain and subsequent flooding left one of the access points unusable and the timberwork and gates need replacing. It is also planned to improve drainage and lay a paved path.

Trust chairman Tony Carter said: “Like many small charities we can sometimes struggle both for funds and for volunteers to carry out the various tasks to keep the facilities maintained.

“It was therefore a delight that Branston not only made a financial grant but sent an enthusiastic team to do some of the work.”

The volunteers helped with preventative measures, re-laying the cleared soil and adding sheeting in the ground to try and ensure the area would not suffer as much as before with bad weather.

The trust works to benefit the community in Dowlish Wake and surrounding villages by maintaining facilities at the village playing fields.

Ian Wait, general manager at Branston’s Ilminster site, said: “It’s great to be able to help out on a project which is so close to our site and directly benefits our local community.

“Our team of volunteers all enjoyed their morning’s hard labour in these fantastic surroundings.

“It’s the first time we’ve been involved with this charity but I know it proved rewarding work for both sides and I am hopeful we will be invited back in the future to help out a similar project.”