PARISH and town councils and community groups are being urged to save children's playgrounds from closure by taking them over and running them themselves.

The lifeline offered by Wear Valley District Council on Monday could hit council taxpayers in their pockets if parishes raise extra money through a precept, or parish charge.

But it is seen as the only way to save 30 play areas earmarked for demolition under a radical review of play provision agreed by the council's community services committee.

With only £41,000 to spend on maintenance each year, officers say they can only safely inspect and look after 26 playgrounds instead of the 55 they have now.

Instead, they would concentrate on strategically placed 'superparks', such as one being built by Sure Start in Willington, leaving some small communities with no play facilities at all.

Meetings are already planned with West Auckland and Stanhope parish councils this week. Tow Law Town Council has agreed to try to adopt all of its three playgrounds in Alpine Way, the Deerness Estate and Pennine Way.

But there has been stiff opposition to the move inside the district, which has one of the worst health records in the country, and community groups have organised petitions demanding a rethink.

Two sites in Helmington Row and Toronto were withdrawn from the original 'hit list' after ward members Belle Bousfield and Margaret Jones addressed the committee. Another concession was to give small communities extra time on top of a three-week consultation period, which started on Tuesday.

Council leader Olive Brown said: "The places where our children play must be safe, We have too many, poor quality playgrounds.

"Working in partnership is the way forward and we will consult on the whole question of our play and leisure provision."

Coun Harry Irwin, chairman of Stanhope parish council, said that it would be impossible to make an instant decision on whether to take on the six threatened Weardale playgrounds.

He said: "It would mean raising money through our precept and we have nothing in this year's budget.

"Perhaps the council will give us a fifth of the £30,000 they are spending on demolishing the 30 playgrounds."