A HEALTH and safety inspector had parish councillors in a spin when he reported their children's roundabout for revolving too quickly.

The playground in Middleton St George, near Darlington, is owned and maintained by the parish council.

Councillors were forced to contact the manufacturer, which confirmed the roundabout - called the Whirly Bird - met British safety standards.

Parish council chairwoman Doris Jones said: "When we saw the health and safety report, we were absolutely astounded. The toddlers love the roundabout."

As part of its Zurich insurance policy, the council pays £260-ayear for a quarterly visit from a health and safety inspector, to ensure the playground is safe.

When the inspector visited before Christmas, he reported the Whirly Bird for spinning too quickly.

The parish council contacted the manufacturer, Wicksteed, which confirmed the roundabout had the British Kitemark Licence.

The parish council has since let insurers Zurich know.

Councillor Jones said: "We pay Zurich to do their health and safety inspections, and this was what they put in their report. We got in touch with Wicksteed, and they said it was fine and complies with the standards."

She added: "We must have the inspections because if a child did have an accident, health and safety would be down on us like a ton of bricks. We do take safety very, very seriously."

The report caused amusement when it was revealed at a parish council meeting. Councillor Mark Miller said: "Shall we stop the meeting and all go to test it?"

The Whirly Bird's manufacturer, Wicksteed, declined to comment, but its website says: "With back support seating, this is an ideal choice of roundabout for younger children."

Zurich Insurance declined to comment.

PROTECTING THE PUBLIC

■ South Shields, 2004 - South Tyneside District Council removes branches from six horse chestnut trees, pictured, to stop children picking conkers and injuring themselves.

■ Manchester, 2002 - A girl is banned from taking sun cream into school on a summer's day in case other children have an allergy to it.

■ Ilfracombe, Devon, November 5, 2006 - More than 2,000 people watch a virtual bonfire on a big screen, with heaters and loudspeakers playing the sound of wood crackling. The council decided a bonfire, and its safety precautions, would be too expensive.

■ Bury St Edmunds, 2004 - Suffolk County Council bans hanging baskets on lampposts in the town, fearing they could fall and hit someone on the head.

■ Paignton, Devon, November 2007 - A pupil at Sacred Heart RC Primary School is banned from wearing fairy wings in the nativity play, after a risk assessment concludes they could set fire.