DISCARDED underwear was found by an unhappy mum when she took her three children to a Westcott play area.

Mariana Araujo was at the park, just off Turner Street, with her eight-year-old and 9-month-old twins soon after it reopened following lockdown.

But while at the park Mariana noticed plenty of rubbish as well as some underwear by the benches.

She said: “Turner Park just has too much rubbish around, people don’t have manners.

“The underwear was disgusting. People need to have more respect because children play there. Even if it was a joke it was a bad one very disrespectful.

“I just think people should be more respectful and also pick up your rubbish after.”

The park is operated by South Swindon Parish Council, which insisted the facility is regularly cleaned to remove rubbish and to also make it Covid-secure.

Chris Watts, chairman of the parish council, said: “We are sorry a resident feels the play area at Westcott Rec is untidy.

“Our park rangers litter pick this play area twice a week, on Mondays and Thursday.

“On top of litter picking the play area they also clean the equipment and are putting up signs advising residents of steps they can take to avoid catching or spreading the coronavirus.

“If any resident feels a play area is unsafe or untidy, I would encourage them to contact the parish council office and we will take action.

“Covid-19 and changing government guidance has had an effect on the service the parish council’s contractor can provide for residents and we would just ask residents to be patient at the moment.

“I’m confident that as facilities are reopened and normal services are resumed the high quality of provision South Swindon parishioners usually receive from the parish will continue.”