A NORTH-EAST authority has been fined £10,000 after playground swings collapsed while a youngster was playing on them.

Eight-year-old Jim Howe was lucky to escape serious injury after the swings on the play area in Sunniside, near Tow Law, County Durham, collapsed and hit him on the head.

The youngster, who had been playing on the swings with friends near his home, had to have staples in his head after the accident in July.

Wear Valley District Council admitted that it knew the swings were in a dangerous condition but failed to close the play area until they could be repaired.

Bishop Auckland magistrates heard that a report carried out by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents 14 months before Jim's accident highlighted the problem but the council did not carry out repairs needed.

Martin Baillie, prosecuting on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive, said a full investigation was launched after the council reported the accident.

He said that a resident in Sunniside reported that one of the poles had come out of its support at the beginning of June last year.

A council worker was sent out to repair the swing but reported that he could not tighten it sufficiently and a new part was needed.

The part arrived a week before Jim's accident, but because of staff shortages and a heavy workload, the council did not get round to repairing the swing.

Speaking on behalf of the council, Rod Searle said the authority did not dispute the facts and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

He said that since the accident, the council had closed 26 of its 83 play areas and had implemented a scheme that meant the remaining 57 play areas were checked once a week with an engineer visiting once a month.

He said the council had taken the accident very seriously and said it was very sorry for the distress caused to Jim and his family.

The council was fined £10,000 after pleading guilty to failing to maintain the swings. The council was also ordered to pay £149 costs.

Last night Jim's mother, Carole, who runs The Moss Inn pub in the village, said she could not believe the council had known that the swings were faulty.

She said: "I am shocked to know that the council were so lacking. Jim has been very very lucky and we are just grateful he was not more seriously injured.

"I am happy with the outcome of the case and I am happy that the council are now being more vigilant. But why did this have to happen first?"