Danger fears at playground

Bill Whitehead said a design flaw in the new equipment at the Waddington Road playing fields, in St Annes could be dangerous for excited children.

Town hall bosses have constructed a large hill with a slide off one side, and a “frightening” drop off the other.

Mr Whitehead – whose daughter Lydia regularly plays on the park on the way home from nearby Clifton Primary School – added: “My daughter is eight years old and she doesn’t even reach the top of the mound from the ground.

“If she falls off the top of it it’s a broken neck and I’m worried about the children’s safety – quite a few parents have clocked the dangers and it’s frightening.

“It’s a great park but it’s got to be safe as well.”

The play equipment was built as part of a £190,000 project to re-vamp the site led by fundraisers Make Waddy Wonderful – who raised thousands of pounds – and Fylde Council.

As well as the slide there are swings and climbing equipment for youngsters, and hi-tech electronic game where they can compete with kids around the country.

A Fylde Council spokesman said: “It has passed all safety assessments but is meant for slightly older children not toddlers.

“There should be some adult supervision.”