CHILDREN are being stopped from playing in Aireville Park, Skipton, because they return home covered in mud.

Campaigner Elaine Farrier, of Bay Horse Yard, who last year fought to have £50,000 worth of new play equipment installed in the park, now refuses to take her daughter there because of the state of the ground.

But, Craven District Council, which is responsible for the playground, is trying to remedy the situation by improving the ground with better drainage, more concrete areas and bark chippings.

Elaine said that recently her three-year-old daughter Nicole had been caked in mud and soaked to the skin after playing in the playground.

"I had black ankle boots on and had to throw them out because the mud went over the top," said Elaine. "That is £30 or £40 wasted."

Elaine said she understood that the weather had been poor but said that even on the sunny days because the play equipment was at the bottom of a hill the water never seemed to drain away.

She said the ground was always boggy and as a result the swings and climbing frames were dirty.

"We fought really hard to get that park and now no-one can use it. It is crazy. We can't go anywhere because of foot and mouth so we are desperate to use the park. It is such a shame people want to use the park a lot as it is a focal part of the community," said Elaine.

She added that she had spoken to other mums about the situation and found they were equally as concerned.

Elaine said that something needed doing urgently so that the play equipment would be ready for the summer. At the moment she takes Nicole to Ilkley Park and suggested the council put wood chips under the play equipment, like at Ilkley.

"I know surfacing is expensive but I know for a fact that wood chip is not that expensive and it is low maintenance."

Elaine added that if the ground were improved she would be prepared to clean the equipment herself ready for the children.

The £50,000 playground was officially opened last August after years of hard work by councillors and residents. The ground boasts masses of swings, slides and climbing frames, separate play areas for toddlers and juniors and equipment for children with disabilities.

Head of operations at the council Greg Robinson said: "We are aware of the problems and we are trying to address them as quickly as possible."

Surfaced paths had recently been laid between the play equipment but Mr Robinson admitted that these were not enough to solve the problem. The council is to put more surfacing under benches, invest in drainage solutions, and put some bark chippings down.

"We want the work doing as quickly as possible," said Mr Robinson.