THE parents of a boy who was injured when park swings collapsed on him say he is lucky to be alive.

Eight-year-old Jim Howe, from Sunniside, near Crook, had to have staples in his head after the swings at the village park collapsed while he and his friends were playing.

His parents, Carole and John, who run The Moss Inn in the village, are calling for a full inquiry to find out why the play equipment, which is the responsibility of Wear Valley District Council, came to break so easily.

Mrs Howe, 47, said: "I know of two people who have complained about the state of the swings and I believe someone has been out to fix them a couple of times."

Jim had to be taken to hospital by ambulance after the accident on Wednesday night.

He was sitting on one of the swings when the metal frame collapsed on top of him.

He said: "I moved one which was on my legs, then another fell on my shoulder. I moved that and sat up, then it fell on my head."

The youngster managed to run home, despite the cut to his head.

Mrs Howe said: "It was awful, terrifying. I didn't know what had happened. He was covered in blood and screaming.

"Jim is a real tough nut and usually quite calm. I have never seen him so distressed. He was with his brother, John, and I had to send someone out to see if he was okay."

The area around the swings has now been fenced off after health and safety officers from the council and the Health and Safety Executive visited the site.

Mrs Howe said: "I want to make sure that all parks are looked at so that this does not happen to another child."

The leader of Wear Valley District Council, Councillor Olive Brown, promised a full investigation would be made.

She said: "Nothing will be shirked and it will be made public. We are very sorry about the little boy. It should never have happened and we will do our best to make sure it doesn't happen again."