COUNCILLORS are being urged to introduce a strategy to improve run-down play areas in Darlington.

Council officers say the strategy is needed to allow for better management of outdoor play areas.

Darlington has more than 40 residential play areas, but a recent review has indicated that the majority are in an unacceptable condition by prevailing standards.

While the playgrounds are not considered to be dangerous, council officers say considerable capital investment is required to improve them.

Members of Darlington Borough Council's cabinet will be told today that the number of play areas is increasing because developers are normally required to provide new facilities in their homes schemes.

The increasing number of playgrounds is stretching budgets even further, at a time when a lot of money is being spent dealing with vandalism, maintenance and complaints about misuse of play areas.

Councillors will be told that the way to resolve the problem would be to reduce the number of play sites and provide a smaller core of well-equipped areas.

Council officers believe better use could be made of resources, including moving equipment from under-used play sites to new sites.

Those play areas deemed no longer suitable for that purpose would remain available for use as recreational open space.

Darlington council officers also believe that as part of the new strategy, housing developers should be encouraged to make a financial contribution directly to the council for the provision of play areas, rather than investing in play sites that may not be needed.

It has been proposed that each distinct area of Darlington would have at least one significant play site.

Cabinet members are being recommended to allow officers to prepare a report developing options for an outdoor play area strategy for Darlington.