ANGRY parents say their children are having to cross a busy road to get to their only remaining village play area.

Aycliffe Village suffers from a shortage of play areas and people say the situation has been made worse in recent months by the addition of signs forbidding ball games on grassed areas.

The latest sign was placed on a green in front of Bickford Terrace recently, where village children have traditionally played football.

Mother-of-two Margaret Lenahan says there is nowhere left on her side of the village where youngsters can play.

She said: "It has not just happened at Bickford Terrace, it has happened in other areas around the village.

"Wherever there is a green piece of land now there is a 'No ball games' sign stuck on it.

"We are in a small village, so where are the kids supposed to play?"

There is a play area at one end of the village, but for some children it means they have to cross the A167 to reach it.

A public meeting in the village two years ago, which was attended by Sedgefield Borough Council officials, identified the need for a new play area.

One proposed site was rejected after objections from residents. Another strip of land, near the 3M factory, was also considered, but the plans appear to have been put on hold.

Mrs Lenahan said: "I think the council are failing in their duty of care in providing for the young people of the village."

Village councillor Bill Blenkinsopp is concerned that the correct procedure has not been followed in putting up the most recent sign and has asked for it to be removed.

He said: "My own concern is for kids having to cross the A167 to get to the play area.

"This green has always been a play area and I don't think the correct procedure has been followed."

Coun Blenkinsopp believes Sedgefield council may have put the sign up on Great Aycliffe Town Council land and has not consulted local residents properly.

A spokesman for the borough council said: "We are still looking into all the issues and once they are resolved we will sort it out."