Ref. 28437-01SCORES of children in Park South gathered for a festive celebration - but have been told they will have to make new plans for next year.

For four years youngsters in the area have enjoyed a community Christmas party, organised by residents and shopkeepers in and around Cavendish Square.

This year's party went ahead on Saturday at Cranmore Community Centre, in Cranmore Avenue, despite a spate of recent hitches and setbacks.

In October more than 150 children were disappointed when Swindon Council refused to give permission for a hall at Oaktree Primary School to be used for a Halloween party on health and safety grounds.

The council later promised it would stage two Christmas parties for the youngsters.

Both parties went ahead at a cost of £1,800.

Flo Williams, 45, who helps run Cavendish Square Coffee Shop, said: "We lost out on £700 when the Halloween party was cancelled as we'd already paid for the hall and decorations so the council put money towards this party as compensation.

"Unfortunately there are now so many health and safety regulations for organisers of parties such as this, so we have decided not to organise them any more.

"I don't want the responsibility of another party and it's too much aggravation to organise a public event. It's too technical for us to carry on. It's very sad as this was a community event that everyone loved."

The health and safety issues only came to light when the Halloween party was cancelled.

Over the last few years members of the community have joined together to put on regular Christmas and Halloween parties, paid for through fundraising events around Park South.

Shonagh Lowe, 14, of Cranmore Avenue, in Park South, ran a tabletop tombola and lucky dip to raise cash for the cancelled Halloween party.

She said: "It was good fun. I dressed up as Scooby Doo and helped out at the party for the younger children and then went on the second one later."

Shonagh, who attends Church-fields School, added: "It's quite disappointing that it will be the end of community parties. People have been enjoying them for years."

Swindon councillor Barrie Thompson (Lab, Parks) said there were issues that needed resolving.

He said: "One of my big concerns is the health and safety problems at the Oaktree hall which the council still has not sorted out, such as fire extinguishers that haven't been serviced since 1999 and holes in the floor.

"I'm going to explore the issues because I think sometimes insurance matters are made to seem more difficult than they really are.

"It's fair enough that the community doesn't want the responsibility anymore.

"But something has to be done to make sure people have somewhere to go in future."

Alex Emery