COUNCILLORS have visited a rundown recreation ground following complaints about the state of its play area.

Castle Point Council has received a chorus of disapproval about the condition of Tarpots Recreation Ground, where ageing play equipment has now been removed by the council.

Julian Ware-Lane, Labour prospective Parliamentary candidate for Castle Point, added his voice to debate in September, and councillors are looking at ways they can speed up a planned revamp of the area under a five-year programme of playground repairs.

Ray Howard, Tory chairman of the environment committee, led the site visit.

He said: "I have been asked to come and look at the state of the playground, along with council leader Pam Challis, to see if there is anything we can do. First, we are revamping Leigh Beck playground, on Canvey, and Richmond Park, in Benfleet.

"But we wanted to have a look. We may look into seeing if we can replace any of the equipment with items taken out of other playgrounds as a temporary measure."

Mr Ware-Lane said residents had been complaining for months about the state of the recreation ground.

He added: "A once lovely children's play area has been vandalised by the council, according to local residents.

"Craters have been left by the removal of equipment and safety mats earlier this year."

New facilities are not expected at the playground until 2010, prompting Mr Ware-Lane to start a petition for earlier restoration of the facilities and long-term planning to keep them up to standard.