A COMMUNITY-run play area that has won a national award could close by Christmas because the same Government department that handed out the accolade won't give it any funding.

The park and all-weather sports pitch, at Delves Lane, near Consett, County Durham, was the only site in the region to win a Green Pennant award this week.

But volunteers at the cash-strapped community association who run the £145,000 centre say it will have to close by Christmas if they cannot find a further £10,000.

Regeneration Minister Tony McNulty presented the pennant to site organisers at an awards ceremony in Sunderland last Wednesday. He praised Delves Lane as a project that involved the local community.

But his Government department has so far refused to help save the play area with a grant from its Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, because officials say the site does not qualify for funding.

An insurance clause means that the play area can only be used if a supervising warden is present, costing more than £16,000 a year.

Volunteers who manage the site have raised £4,500, but have found it impossible to obtain grant aid to pay for staff.

Tony Westgarth, association chairman, said: "It is really ironic. We fit all the criteria for a Green Pennant, but we don't fit the criteria for regeneration funding.

"I cannot see how someone in the minister's position, who is supposed to be for the people, cannot see this in the right perspective."

The park was built after a successful bid to the National Lottery and has proved popular. It is considered one of the best facilities in County Durham.

The community association has more than 1,200 people registered, who each pay a small annual fee to use the area, from mothers with toddlers, to football teams.

"We are delighted to have achieved the award, which is down to the hard work of our volunteers. But it means nothing without the funding to back it up," he said.

He said he wrote a letter to Mr McNulty last month asking for help, but had not had a reply.

A Government spokesman last night admitted that the minister had been unaware of Mr Westgarth's letter, which had been "lying around on a desk" for several weeks.

But the department has promised to look into the problem.

"Mr McNulty did not know anything about this when he went up to Sunderland," said the spokesman.

"He has asked officials in Whitehall to have a look at it and advise what steps can be taken to see if they can sort it out."