REFURBISHING a Yarm children's playground to the standard recommended by a health-and-safety organisation could cost up to £20,000.

But Yarm Town Council, which hopes to improve recreation facilities across the town, is unhappy about the cost and is searching for other estimates.

At its latest meeting, some councillors were astounded to hear the possible cost of work at The Meadowings play area.

Coun Eric Turton has responsibility for recreation matters and spoke about The Meadowings site during a talk on next year's precept, levied from Yarm council tax payers.

"We would like to suggest the provision of a safety fence at The Meadowings play area. Issues about play equipment were highlighted in a Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents risk assessment, and we'd like to link them all together in a general refurbishment scheme," he said.

He suggested earmarking £10,000 for possible work.

But Coun Marjorie Simpson said: "My god - I've fainted!"

Coun Turton added: "The charge could be £20,000. Rospa-approved fences are virtually child-proof to allow access in but restrict access out."

The play area is near a busy road but some councillors said the recommended fence sounded like a prison wall.

But Coun Turton said: "We are hoping for significant grants but we still think Yarm Town Council should look at this."

Coun Philip Addison said another option, however unpopular, would be to scrap the play equipment.

Coun Simpson said: "I think £10-20,000 is far too much. Stockton Council costs are too high and I have said many times that we could get something for 10pc of the price. There's no way we could afford £10,000."

Regarding the precept, Coun Turton said: "I thought about including £10,000 in the 2003 budget, and then we could look at it again. If we don't go ahead with this scheme, we are going to have to make some sort of provision that is practical."

Some councillors asked whether the particular fence was necessary, given that children walked along a road to get to the playground. Some suggested a hedge but child-protection guidelines discourage barriers making playgrounds secluded and cut off from general view.

Chairman Coun Liz Marsden asked if a smaller sum of £5,000 could be earmarked for improvements, possibly from another source.

But Coun Turton replied: "We have discussed this whole scheme with Stockton Council. The officer said it would not go ahead without fencing to Rospa's standard. We have accepted that."

Coun Marsden said savings could perhaps be made elsewhere.

But Coun Simpson said: "That is irrelevant. Stockton Council has said it doesn't have any money to build this. It has removed play areas elsewhere because of the cost.

"I'm not saying that's a good thing, but that's the fact. I don't think this scheme need cost that amount."

The matter would be investigated further.