Ref. 29444-05AN EYESORE play area that has been virtually off limits to young children for years because of vandalism could soon be back in action.

A £40,000 scheme has been announced to rip out what has become a mere skeleton of a play area in the corner of the field off Huntley Close, Walcot, and install new vandal-proof toys in the centre.

Ward councillor Mavis Childs said she hoped the updated equipment would be in by the summer.

"This little play area was right in the corner of the field and it was always being vandalised," she said.

"It used to be well used, but as with many play areas teenagers saw 'better' things to do with it. It was a horrendous problem for residents."

Householders in Frobisher Drive, which backs onto the field, complained to the council that yobs congregated in the corner close to people's homes. Screened by the fence and trees they would start fires as well as shouting obscenities late into the night, destroying the equipment and littering the area with empty bottles and cans.

One resident, who does not want to be named, said drug users used the area for injecting themselves and needles were often found. She added that parents were too frightened to let their children play near it.

Younger children who wanted to play were driven away and eventually anything that could be moved was removed for safety reasons leaving only the bare bones of the equipment.

"It was decided that we should move the play area into the centre of the field so it could be watched properly.

"Hopefully that will resolve the problem and the people in Frobisher Drive will have a quieter life," said Mrs Childs (Lab, Walcot).

The old fence will also be replaced and undergrowth cleared to make it less of a target for anti-social behaviour. The conifer trees will be removed later.

Council officers came up with the plan, which is included in the current playground refurbishment budget, after consulting local people. Following that, a report prepared by Swindon Services was approved at the east area panel meeting.

It is expected that work will start in time to have the equipment ready for the children in the warmer weather.

"We are going to make it as vandal-proof as we can and it will only have smaller toys," said Mrs Childs.

Once the equipment was in place Mrs Childs said the field would be monitored to ensure the problem had been dealt with permanently.

"Unless you do these things and then monitor them afterwards you don't know if they are going to work."

Along with the refurbishment of Buckhurst Field, the project was helping to reclaim open areas for local people. "We have got youth clubs, but the teenagers choose to do other things.We have to cater for the ones we know we can reach."

Tina Clarke