BOYS and girls can stay out to play for at least a little longer after Hurn parish councillors granted a stay of execution to a threatened woodland play area in the village.

Play equipment installed on the edge of the Moors Close estate only four years ago was due to be removed at the end of August after being declared unsafe.

But news of the playground closure was met with loud protests by youngsters and their parents determined to save the only facility for children in the isolated village.

Now, following talks with residents, parish council chairman Margaret Phipps has agreed to suspend the closure pending a thorough inspection of the equipment and report by the manufacturers.

Mrs Phipps said: "They are going to do this as soon as they can and go through everything item by item so that we will have an exact picture of what is needed and if we can do something, we will."

"Safety issues have to be paramount. It is understandable that people want to keep the playground, but do they want their children to play on unsafe equipment?"

And she added: "It is not just the equipment which needs replacing. It is going to need fencing because of the road nearby and the dog fouling issue.

"All of this is going to cost a lot of money which the parish council doesn't have, but if people want to keep the playground we will look at what can be done."

Dr Bob Gilbertson, current chairman of the Project Christchurch community group which funded the £30,000 playground, said: "It is a valuable resource and it would be a tragedy if it were to be lost."

"I would hope there may be some compromise position which can be found but any solution will need the residents of Moors Close to be involved."

A £5,000 "sinking fund" set up by Project Christchurch to maintain the playground was among monies embezzled by a former officer of the charity who was later convicted and jailed for the offence.

"Our kids are suffering because of someone who is sitting in prison," said Moors Close parent Russell Miles, who called for insurance or compensation.

But Dr Gilbertson said: "The money that was lost as a result of the embezzlement has not been recovered nor is it likely to be.

"Project Christchurch has moved on from that point and has no ongoing commitment for the long-term maintenance of the playground."

First published: August 24