YOUNG families have joined forces to express their dismay at a poorly-equipped village play area, now dogged by controversy.

The swings were taken away at Middleton St George after a chain broke and a child broke her arm.

Safety experts ordered the swings to be taken away and checks made on the rest of the equipment. Initial costs suggest it could cost £15,000 to carry out repairs.

On top of that, Miller Homes has offered to buy the land for housing - providing a new play site across the road - and sparking off the possibility of a purpose-built play park, sports and community hall and football pitch in the water park.

When Coun Brian Jones of Middleton St George Parish Council outlined the idea for neighbouring Low Dinsdale Parish Council, it sparked off an outcry among older villagers.

But this week newcomers on an estate backing on to the play area were determined to have their say.

Mrs Lorraine Knowles, who has a four-year-old son, said: "This is really just to get the point across that there is just nothing here. The kids need something better."

Mrs Vicki Simpson, who has just moved onto the Highfield estate, agreed: "This is a bit disappointing. We had hardly arrived when the equipment was taken away.

"I wouldn't object to housing here as long as there is somewhere for the kids to go."

Mrs Elaine McGuckin, with children aged four and 18 months, said: "It is a mess. They took the swings down, we get dogs fouling it, the place is unsafe and the grass needs cutting."

"We need safe flooring and something for the younger children to do. We need a lot more equipment."

"Housing here would not affect me personally, but I understand the feelings in the village.

"However, this is nothing at the moment. The more housing we have, the more children will be coming in and if there is no proper equipment they will end up playing outside people's homes.

"We need somewhere for them to let off steam."

On Monday, Middleton St George Parish Council will have its first chance to comment on proposals and, on Wednesday, Low Dinsdale council is expecting Mr Terry Collins, head of leisure at Darlington Borough Council, to talk about the faulty equipment.

l See Letters to the Editor: page 18