A GROUP of worried Worrall Hill parents is accusing the local recreation ground committee of allowing children's play equipment to become dangerously dilapidated.

But long-time recreation ground trustee Maurice Phelps said that rather than criticise the committee, the complainers should become involved in its running.

And he said the committee had made every effort to attract funding for the play area, which at £17,000 for surfacing alone was a daunting task which would be made easier with more people aiding the fund-raising.

A spokeswoman for the parents, who said she preferred to remain anonymous in case singled out for reprisals, said: "The swings are in a terrible state – there's only one with just chains left.

"Football comes first for them, we are afraid. We believe that the trouble is the committee is now almost entirely older men who do not have children to look after. But the Rec and its facilities is there for the whole community, it is not just a football ground.

"We have talked with them in the past and we have got absolutely nowhere. As it is now someone could be badly hurt."

She said parents were now so worried they were going to call in health and safety experts to take action over the problem.

Mr Phelps agreed that the majority of the committee were over 50. The AGM on July 25 was open to everyone and it was an ideal opportunity for younger people to become involved.

"We applied for lottery money and we thought we fulfilled all the criteria, but unfortunately we were turned down," he said.

A Coalfields Regeneration Fund application had met the same response.

"We have also asked Lydbrook Parish Council for help but the response was they do not get involved with recreation grounds," he said.

He urged anyone who wanted to see improvements at the ground to talk to him about the issue on 01594 860158.