WORKMEN scored an embarrassing own goal – quite literally – when they built a fence on a play area used for football.

They erected the £6,000 steel barrier through a set of goalposts, much to the bafflement of people living nearby.

“It looks ridiculous,” said one parent whose children use the play area, but who did not want to be named.

“The first thing you think when you see it is that it’s a joke, or somebody must have had a bad day at the office.

“It’s difficult to see why it’s been done that way and I hope it’s sorted out soon because it must be a disappointment for the children who use the area.”

City of York Council has apologised for the gaffe on land next to Stray Road, in the Heworth area of the city, and said that the goalposts are due to be moved when the play area is improved and modernised.

Head of parks and open spaces Dave Meigh said: “The new fencing was installed, at a cost of about £6,000, ahead of the £37,000 investment in equipment, which is due in the next few weeks.

“We recognise that failure to relocate the goalposts is a real own goal and we have asked the contractors to resolve the issue as a matter of urgency. We can only apologise for the error.”