OPEN-ACCESS play schemes are proving popular this summer holiday in Monmouthshire.

The local authority said the number of children attending the free-for-all schemes are growing, with about 98 children booking in for activities at Caldicot Rugby Club alone.

The programme, which operates throughout the week, will continue to run every weekday until Thursday, August 25.

Parents or carers must accompany their child on the first day they attend to register their place, and all children under eight must be delivered and collected by a responsible adult.

Children are be free to undertake any available play activity as the schemes provide supervised play opportunities.

Monmouthshire’s cabinet member with responsibility for play schemes, councillor Liz Hacket Pain said: “I’m very pleased that these schemes are so well subscribed.

“We’re keen to promote these activities to encourage well-being and this initiative contributes to a healthy lifestyle as well as allowing children to socialise.”

The open access play schemes are delivered by the Torfaen Play Service on behalf of the county council, with financial support from the town councils of Abergavenny, Monmouth, Caldicot and Chepstow.

Financial support is also provided by a number of community councils, as well as the Welsh government’s Families First Programme.

The schemes operate on weekdays at the following venues: Abergavenny Youth Centre from 10am to 12pm; Deri View Primary School in Abergavenny from 1pm to 3pm; Kymin View Primary School in Monmouth from 10am to 12pm; Monmouth Sportsground pavilion from 1pm to 3pm; Bulwark Community Centre in Chepstow from 10am to 12pm; Thornwell Primary School in Chepstow from 1pm to 3pm; Magor Primary School from 10am to 12pm; and Caldicot Rugby Club from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

For more information on the schemes, call Andrea Sysum on 01495 742951 or 07980 695717.