MARIANNE MANNELLO is a development officer for Play Wales, an independent charity funded by the National Assembly to act as a champion for children's play.

Their aim is to increase awareness and understanding of the critical importance of play in children's development.

Marianne, 37, lives in Miskin with her husband Paul and their four children, Joe, eight, Steve, six, Maria, four, and three-year-old Caitlin.

She feels that allowing children to play outside is vital.

"I've always allowed the children to play outside, and I'm quite comfortable doing that," she said.

"The boys play independently more than the girls, in and around the woods near our home, because they are older, but I would be happy for the girls to do the same if they wanted to in the future."

Marianne said there wasn't a park near them, so her children played in the natural environment nearby, but that in built-up areas parks and green spaces were even more important for children's development.

"We know that children need to take risks, seek excitement and challenge themselves," she said.

"They need to develop their physical prowess, by climbing and jumping and swinging and balancing, which can be done by playing out, but can't really be achieved sitting in front of the TV."

She said, "The results of this survey don't surprise me, and I'm pleased to hear that people are enthusiastic about children playing outside.

"There's a difference between risk and danger - there's a risk a child might hurt them selves falling out of a tree they've climbed, but that's different to the danger of playing near toxic waste, for example."

Marianne added, "My children do have access to TV, obviously, and are currently borrowing a Playstation from one of their friends, but they have lots of opportunities to do other activities outdoors, too."