WORRIED residents are demanding action over a playground that has become a lake - warning children could be harmed unless something is done.

The play area in the middle of the Southfields Estate in Bedale has regularly flooded since the site was built 15 years ago by builders Persimmon.

But residents say this year has been horrendous and there is growing concern after a group of young children were seen this week with adults in the water.

David Easton, who lives next to the park, said the water was up to a foot deep, full of foul water and could contain dog excrement.

Bedale Town Council was handed responsibility for the park by Persimmon and this week the council agreed to put a statement online making people aware of the problems and asking them to refrain from using the park. However, members decided not to put up any warning signs or fences.

Mr Easton protested: “How many parents and children will be going online to check what the town council is advising on the safety issues of this contaminated water?

“If the council think this is acting responsibly then they are clearly misguided.

“We do not know if any of the children who were playing in the water under supervision have been taken ill, we do not know if all the irresponsible dog owners who let their dogs foul this area have had their dogs wormed.

“The potential is there for severe consequences that the council think will be prevented by putting a warning online.

“If a child were to be ill or worse still go blind as a result of roundworm who would be culpable?”

The council said they had spent large amounts trying to sort out the flooding problems, tracing drains installed by Persimmon, some of which go under gardens and conservatories and which could be blocked.

Clerk Richard Howard said: “Without some sort of considerable intervention by other parties it is very difficult to take it forward, bearing in mind both the district and county councils don’t believe it is the town council’s responsibility.”

Town councillors are now to go back to the county authority to try and find a long-term solution to the problem.