A campaigning councillor is calling for a derelict children's play area in his ward to be refurbished and brought back into use.

4 BwD representative Cllr Rana Gulistan Khan is seeking a reprieve for the Beechwood Court playground in Bastwell.

And he has told Blackburn with Darwen Council officials that he is concerned about the state and safety of other similar areas across the borough.

A letter from the town hall tells Bastwell and Daisyfield ward's Cllr Khan there was no money available to restore the playground and options for the future use of the land would be presented to the council's growth boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood next month.

Cllr Khan said: "I am deeply concerned that Beechwood Court play area has been allowed to fall into disrepair and neglect by the council since it took over from the private housing organisation.

"Despite claims of safety issues, there is no photographic evidence or detailed documentation to support these concerns.

"The photos I’ve seen show no visible structural damage, yet the council has provided residents with only two options: either sell the land or abandon plans to refurbish due to lack of funds.

"It’s disheartening to see this valuable resource for Bastwell's children and families disregarded, as they deserve a safe and accessible space to play.

"The council needs to find the funding to refurbish and reopen the area rather than letting it fall into decay.

"Saying there isn’t money available isn’t an acceptable answer.

"Children have a right to safe play spaces, and this problem extends beyond my ward across the borough.

"We urgently need a properly-funded strategy to improve, upgrade, and—where necessary— reopen children’s play areas, instead of the current inconsistent approach that seems more influenced by political considerations than by the genuine needs of our communities."

The Blackburn with Darwen Council letter says: "The Beechwood Court play area was originally provided by and in the ownership of Gleeson Homes and was in an abandoned and unfit condition.

"Following on from many complaints from residents around anti-social behaviour on the site and health and safety concerns raised by local ward members the council acted to take the site under its control from Gleeson Homes.

"Internal consultation highlighted that there was no funding available to provide an additional council-owned and equipped play area in the neighbourhood.

"Funding was secured to remove the dangerous and unfit equipment from the site.

"An options appraisal was carried out.

"A consultation exercise was authorised with local residents.

"The consultation letter outlined a number options with an invitation welcoming any other suggestions.

"A summary of the responses will be presented to the executive member for growth in November."

Cllr Khan wrote back: "There are several other play areas within this ward and beyond that contain equipment equally or even more hazardous than cited here to justify the closure.

"If we apply the same standards used to justify the closure of this park, it would follow that all parks in the borough would need to be closed for safety reasons."