CONCERNS have been raised over the state of a Leigh park with claims it has been neglected amid calls for vast improvement.

Resident Joan Webb, 74, has lived near Blenheim Park for more than 60 years and believes it has been unfairly neglected by the council.

After discovering many of the borough’s parks have received the prestigious green flag awards she feels like Blenheim Park, off Blenheim Chase and Mountdale Gardens, has been very much forgotten.

Mrs Webb, of Norfolk Avenue, Leigh, said: “They have done nothing at all there, it’s not been looked after.

“Hundreds of people walk round there with their dogs and there are only a couple of benches there. I phoned in and complained about a dead fox rotting in the grass- it was horrendous.

“The council knows about the problems at the park, this has been going on for years.”

She also feels the park is dangerous due to some areas being so badly neglected.

Mrs Webb added: “There’s a great big pond, hundreds of years old and full of weeds and next to it there’s a very dangerous hole, that’s very deep and there’s no fence for safety.

“If a child fell in it’s a disaster waiting to happen.

“The bushes round the edges are about 20ft wide so are taking up half the park and the grass is too high.

“Everyone I’ve talked to says it’s a disgrace and something should be done.

“The council needs to put some money into it.”

Helen Boyd, Tory councillor for Blenheim Park, also believes the park is in a poor state and hasn’t had as much care as some of the other parks in the borough.

She said: “I have to say it does need to be improved.

“I have made some enquiries and complaints about the park in the past.

“Personally, I think there is too much uncut grass.”

Ann Holland, Tory councillor responsible for culture, tourism and the economy, said the council will look at putting benches in the park.

She added: “Blenheim Park provides sports pitches, a children’s play area and areas of natural habitat.

“Therefore, it has a very different character to some other parks in our Borough, such as Chalkwell Park and Priory Park.”