WORK has started on a controversial children's play park which has infuriated parents because of its location.

The £30,000 amentity, being created between Watling and Pont, near Leadgate, Consett, was originally going to be built in the village's centre on a grassed area, near residential home Haven House.

Residents complained when youths came to the building site to congregate, as it was only 20 metres from their day room.

They complained of smashed windows and abuse from the young people, so Derwentside District Council agreed to find another location.

A spokesman for the authority said: "Originally, we thought we had found the most appropriate site, but people objected, so we found another location.

"The council has reacted to the concerns raised by the ward councillors following the complaints from a residential home."

But Tonia Cain, a member of Let's Go Leadgate Youth and Leadgate Partnership, said the site was almost a mile from the original, which was too far for most parents.

She said: "It is a daft place to put it, and there are plenty of other places they could have built.

"It was supposed to be in the centre of Leadgate, but it will be at the bottom of a big hill. For people with pushchairs, it is a hell of a bank and it will put people off going."

Mrs Cain said the choice of location did not reassure her that people would feel safe while their children played.

"It is in the middle of nowhere. There is nobody going to allow their kids to play there, and there is no way on earth I would allow mine to go there. It is just too far away."