A community's four-year wait for new playground equipment is almost over, after councillors agreed to grant 23,750 for new slides and climbing frames, writes Roseena Parveen.

The Thames View recreation ground in Rose Hill, Oxford, was stripped of its play equipment after vandals struck and the city council declared it dangerous for toddlers. The area was fenced off and all that remained was a rusting goalpost.

Despite a petition organised by children living in surrounding streets asking for their equipment to be replaced, the council initially said it did not have the money to do the work.

But the community is now celebrating after the council's planning committee decided it would pay for a new basketball pole, climbing frames and net and a slide. It will also pay for tree planting and a dog-free seating area.

The cash comes from 75,000 set aside in the Local Environment Action Fund for local projects. Andrew Parsons, the city's parks manager, said: "The original equipment was badly destroyed. We had no choice but to take it away to make the area safe. But we were unable to replace it.

"We are obviously very pleased that funds have been secured for equipment for an area that badly needs it."

Lorraine Brook, the community centre's secretary, said: "When I was a kid years ago, there were only swings. But there is not even that now. There's a goal post. That's it."

Bill Buckingham, Rose Hill city councillor, said: "We've been waiting four years for it to be replaced, but it has always boiled down to lack of money.

"It's great news. It's not greatly used at the moment, but once the work is completed I think the community here in Rose Hill will be very excited.