CAMPAIGNERS desperate to create a children's playground in the centre of Stanhope have accused the district council of penny-pinching.

Residents of the Weardale village are confident they can raise the £45,000 needed to build a play area on the Ashcroft housing estate.

The group has asked Wear Valley District Council to cover the annual cost of insuring and maintaining the equipment once it is installed.

But the council says it cannot afford the £500 it estimates the cost to be, although members of the authority have promised to meet Stanhope parish councillors to discuss whether a compromise can be found.

Members of the Ashcroft playground appeal committee, which was launched to raise funds for project, say they are disappointed by the district council's response.

Treasurer Denise Bruce said: "The site is meant to be used by youngsters as it is covenanted for the purpose by the National Playing Fields Association.

"There was popular equipment on the site until about 18 months ago, but the district council failed to maintain it and had to remove it.

"We have already raised £1,700, which shows the support we have, and with the council's help we could apply for grants. It is ludicrous that it cannot find a few extra pounds, which we only believe to be £150 a year, as it donated £200 to our efforts."

At a recent meeting of Wear Valley District Council's community services committee, members said the plan was a good idea, but they could not justify the cost because Stanhope already had playing equipment in the village.

Council leader Olive Brown said: "We are a council that likes to help people who help themselves, so we should talk to the parish councillors to see if there is a way to suit all parties."

Councillor Harry Irwin, vice-chairman of Stanhope Parish Council, said: "Ashcroft is ideal for a playground as it is overlooked by houses and in the heart of a family estate - to use the other site may children have to cross a busy road. I'm disappointed with the proposed split of costs, because the parish council covers Frosterley to Killhope and cannot give to one community and not others."

The district council is in the process of closing 15 playgrounds declared unsafe in a report by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.