A £250,000 splash park in Witney took a leap forward after three businesses put cash into the scheme.

It is hoped children and toddlers will be able to splash around in water features and clamber on the new adventure playground taking shape in the Leys from August.

Norton’s Cafe Bar in Langdale Gate, Witney, handed over £1,500 to the scheme, Electrical contractors Tech-Lec Services, also based in Witney, donated £500 and the Shake Shop in the town’s Market Square splashed out £500.

The Liven up the Leys campaign group has now raised about £8,000, but needs to find a further £12,000 to reach its target to pay for extra features in the park.

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The proceeds of the group’s efforts will be added to the £230,000 put up by Witney Town Council and West Oxfordshire District Council.

Contractors have been appointed to build the park and preparatory work has begun on the drainage and water systems.

Campaigner Debb Benn said: “I was absolutely staggered that the businesses donated. It’s really nice to see that local firms are happy to support a local project.”

“It’s absolutely brilliant and gives us a final boost in the last month of fundraising.

The mum of two added: “There’s nothing else like this in Witney, and we’re milesfrom the sea so this will be fantastic for families to use in the summer.”

John Hill, 47, from Tech-Lec, said: “I put the money in because the people at the council had talked to me about it and I thought it might be a good way of getting other businesses involved.

“I grew up in Witney and spent most of my life here. The old paddling pool at the Leys was basically just a hole in the ground.

“This will bring the park into the 21st century. It’s something new that will freshen the park up.”

Kim Cook co-owns The Shake Shop in Market Square with sister Debbie Hackett.

Mother-of-two and grandmother- of-two Ms Cook, who lives in Cogges, said: “I think it’s an excellent scheme. It’s something that was there before but it’s become very old and worn out.

“It’s something Witney has not got anywhere else. It could make it a lovely area.”

Liven up the Leys hopes to raise some of the remaining cash it needs from an Easter extravaganza on Saturday, April 4, outside the old Post Office in High Street, Witney.

Visit the crowd funding website at spacehive.com/livenuptheleys to contribute.