A FIVE-year-old boy needed 12 stitches in his face after falling on a partially built play area.

Alex Doherty sustained facial injuries after falling off his Thomas the Tank Engine scooter on the land off Newfield Drive, Higher Croft, Blackburn.

And now his dad, Hugh Doherty, 38, is demanding to know why there was not proper security fencing around the play area to stop youngsters getting on it before it is finished.

But Blackburn with Darwen Council said the fencing had been smashed by vandals and appropriate measures were being introduced to stop it happening again.

Mr Doherty said: “My little lad has been hurt but it could have been a lot worse.

“Something needs doing to make sure the fencing around the site is strong enough to stop kids getting on there.”

The back garden of the family home in Whitehaven Close, Higher Croft, is less than 50 metres from the play area where the St James’ C of E Primary School pupil was playing when he was hurt.

His mum, Ann Marie Doherty, 30, took the youngster to the Royal Blackburn Hospital following the accident on Thursday.

Deep gashes across his nose and his left cheek were stitched by doctors.

He also lost a tooth, bit his cheek and suffered other facial cuts and bruises.

Mr Doherty said: “We spent three hours in A and E getting his face sorted out.

“There is fencing around the play area but there are a lot of gaps in it.

“It gives a false impression that children can go and play on there because it looks finished when it’s not.”

Steve Rigby, director of culture, leisure and sport at the council, said: "The site was properly fenced off by the contractors.

"Unfortunately the fencing has been smashed down by vandals.

"The play park, which has been revamped through the play pathfinder initiative, has undergone final safety checks and is due to open on Monday to provide local children with an exciting and safe place to play.”