CHILDREN'S lives are being put at risk by a run-down play area, say parents at a Westbury housing estate.

Residents of Bridge Court, Westbury, are furious about the state of the park. They say neglect by the landowner, Newland Homes, has turned it into a death trap.

There are several big holes in the grassy area around the playground, large stinging nettles and thistles, loose nuts and bolts on the park's railings and uneven ground.

The residents also claim bins are never emptied and there is dog mess all over the grass.

Newland Homes developed Bridge Court two years ago. The park is its responsibility until the district council agrees to adopt it.

In April the council told Newland Homes it had until 2005 to get the park up to scratch before it took it off its hands.

Tom McPartland, 35, of Bridge Court, fears for his sons, Joshua, five, and three-year-old Niall.

He said: "It is a total disgrace. The holes are the big problem because if one of my sons falls down there who knows what could happen.

"By the time they agree to fill them in, one of them could be dead. It is not good enough.

"It would be easy to break a leg falling down those holes. I want my children's safety guaranteed.

"The area has deteriorated and no-one seems to be doing anything about it. There is no maintenance and we have had to cut the grass and empty the bins ourselves."

Caroline Murrell, 35, who has a son, Matthew, 12, said: "We moved to the area because we thought it would be a nice place for children.

"How wrong could I be? I now don't let him out because it isn't safe. It is a big shame that my child can't enjoy the outdoors.

"They used to send a gardener to do a bit of maintenance but even that has stopped now."

A spokesman for West Wiltshire District Council said: "Adoption of the play area has been accepted in principle but has not been formally carried out.

"We are three months into a 12 month period and if the play area is sufficiently maintained by Newlands Home the council will adopt it."

Newland Homes accepted the area was its responsibility but refused to comment further.