PARK chiefs have been accused of giving in to vandals after six Darlington play areas were earmarked for closure.

As part of its new strategy for outdoor play areas, Darlington Borough Council has written to residents asking for their opinions on the future of the sites, from which it plans to remove play equipment.

Out of the six to be closed, two - at Hundens Park and Eastmount Road - will be replaced by sites nearby, one of then at Eastbourne Sports complex.

People are being asked for their opinions about the other four - near the riding stables at Red Hall, at Sugar Hill, Lascelles Park and Ingleby Moor Crescent.

The six have been selected by the council because they it says they are not used and in poor condition. However, residents believe the council should have done more to keep the parks up to scratch and counteract vandalism.

One resident of West Auckland Road, in Cockerton, said she had been going to Sugar Hill park since she was a child. Once a lovely park, she said it now resembled a 'dog toilet,' which had been subject to repeated vandalism. She said: "They should bring back the park keepers.

"They pander to vandals. I don't think this is the answer - kids are going to miss out."

A council spokeswoman said the parks were being dealt with individually, to ensure the best was done for each area and residents' opinions on what should go on the sites would be listened to.

She said the reason for the changes are because of vandalism, priorities in the council's parks budget and the need to keep equipment up to European standards.

She said: "We are refurbishing outdoor play areas, which have been well used by the community so far and bringing them up to European standards, providing equipment where the community wants it and, where it is no longer wanted, providing a suitable alternative after consultation with residents."