CHILDREN across Greater Manchester are to get £5m for extra playgrounds as part of a government scheme.

Rochdale will get £2m to provide more play areas with Bury, Bolton and Tameside getting £1m each.

The cash is part of a government £235m bid to build an extra 3,500 play areas - 30 `play pathfinder' local authorities will get £2m each and 44 `playbuilder' authorities get £1m each.

Government ministers Ed Balls and Andy Burnham, MP for Leigh, also vowed to help tackle bullying and crime in play areas and other public spaces, improve road safety and work with planners and developers to create more play areas.

They promised to look at whether health and safety fears mean authorities are being over cautious with play equipment.

The government has also announced a new `play indicator' index - every year children and young people will be asked how satisfied they are with their local play areas and parks.

Culture Secretary Mr Burnham said: "We do wrap children up in cotton wool too much. They need places that are a bit exciting and challenge their imaginations, and are not quite as regulated. The roundabouts we have these days go very slowly and the swings don't go very high.

"There is nothing more heartbreaking than seeing smashed bottles in a toddlers' play area in the morning. That is appalling behaviour and I would not condone it, but we don't provide enough for the youths who are doing it.

"Good play areas are well used by children and parents alike and provide an excellent social focus for the community.

"That's why we're launching this strategy, to give children a stimulating environment where they can let off steam, mix with others and get active."

A survey released this week revealed almost half of all children said playing outside was still their favourite activity - although most complained parents didn't let them out enough.

Anne Longfield, chief executive of the children's charity 4Children, said: "Ever encroaching building, busy roads and parental concerns around their children's lifestyle have led to an increasingly battery-style existence for too many children who have been cooped up indoors.

"Plans to create playgrounds where children can enjoy themselves freely, make friends, have fun and be safe are a sure hit with everyone."