Parish councils are putting children at risk by allowing them to use sub-standard play equipment, it is claimed.

West Oxfordshire district councillors have criticised six councils for allowing children to use equipment classified as high risk by inspectors.

But parish councillors hit back, saying problems were minor and had either been sorted out or were about to be.

West Oxfordshire leisure chairman Barry Norton told the council: "It is quite clear that some parishes do not inspect as often as they should. We do have a budget to aid parishes, especially small parishes with heavy commitments. It is the parishes' responsibility to inspect and upkeep their recreation grounds."

Cllr Ann Cooper said: "It concerns me as a mother and a grandmother that any faulty equipment was not immediately immobilised."

The sites named were:

The Leys, Witney;

Burwell Farm, Witney;

Black Bourton;

Filkins and Broughton Poggs;

Shipton-under-Wychwood;

Cornwell, near Chipping Norton. They were among 74 sites surveyed by the Oxfordshire Playing Fields Association. A total of 83 parish councils with 102 play areas took part in the study. The district failed to name the six play areas earlier because letters had only just been sent to the affected parishes.

Two pieces of equipment made from wood and metal bars failed the inspection in Witney, but Henry Westbury, the town council's technical officer, said he inspected Witney's nine play areas every month and they were checked every six months by the insurance company.

He added: "No child was at risk at any time."

Richard Martin, chairman of Filkins and Broughton Poggs Parish Council, said not enough bark was laid around their equipment - and more had been ordered.

Black Bourton Parish Council clerk Winifred Little said rough wood on the seesaw had been removed and would be replaced, and another piece of equipment had been repaired.

In Shipton-under-

Wychwood, the parish has been planning to upgrade and replace all its play equipment for two years but money was not available until the new village hall was completed.

The Hon Peter Ward, of Cornwell Manor, said the village's play area was privately owned and no concern of the district council. He added: "If the children in the village want to use it they can, but it is at their own risk."

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