THE SIGHT of children from a North Dorset primary walking along a narrow pathless lane just so they can play sports, may soon become a thing of the past.

County education bosses have set the planning ball rolling to create a much-needed playing field at Motcombe Primary School.

The village school does not have its own playing field and the 105 pupils must walk to the parish council recreation ground nearby, but even this has no toilets or changing facilities for the youngsters.

"Schools in the Shaftesbury area were reorganised in 2005 from a three-tier to two-tier system so that the first schools, including Motcombe, became primary schools changing their age range from 4-9 to 4-11," said a county council spokesman.

"The school was already lacking adequate playing field provision, and this need was heightened by the increase in pupil numbers and having older children on roll due to the reorganisation."

Part of the Church Lane school's former soft play and playing field now lies under mobile classrooms.

So the county council has bought an agricultural field from a farm on the north boundary of the school, which it wants permission to convert into the 60 x 40m playing field.

"The ground will have to be cultivated and new turf or seed laid down," said the spokesman.

"The current pasture has an uneven surface and grass cover."

Fencing and a system of land drainage would also have to be installed.

It is hoped that work on the field could start in the summer if planning permission is given.

Members of the public can make representations about the application to the director of environment at County Hall by July 12.