AN MP today called for assurances that no playgrounds will be closed down -- despite being told an under-threat site is safe.

Despite assurances that a playground in Great Harwood is set to be saved after a campaign was launched in the wake of a decision to close it, Hyndburn MP Greg Pope fears the borough's parks are not safe from the axe yet.

Last year, he led a campaign against the closure of the Lyndon Avenue play park, which, according to council bosses, "wouldn't be missed."

Hyndburn Council produced a report which said it could not afford to bring the Lyndon Avenue site and another in nearby Windsor Road up to the standards required by the National Playing Fields' Association.

As private funding from a developer had been secured to pay for part of the overhaul of the Windsor Road site, the report suggest the Lyndon Avenue site could be run down over a five-year period.

Only after residents presented a petition to council bosses and Mr Pope accused them of "taking leave of their senses" did councillors agree to try and save it. But today, Mr Pope said: "That is not a guarantee that it will be saved and that is of great concern to me.

"We live in a society in which, tragically, youngsters can be at risk and by removing play parks they are running the risk of exposing youngsters to more danger.

"Children playing in Lyndon Avenue have to walk a long way to Windsor Road. Parents, I know, aren't happy at the thought of that.

"We need assurances action will be taken to ensure our play parks will be made safe. Play areas should be top of the agenda when it comes to securing the future of facilities."

Hyndburn Labour leader Ian Ormerod, said: "We placed massive importance on play parks when we were in control but, sadly, that hasn't continued."

Council leader Peter Britcliffe, said: "We are looking at the whole issue of playareas.

"We inherited a lot of problems from the Labour administration of Hyndburn and we are looking at ways play areas might be funded.

"We are looking to find an extra £25,000 to secure the future of the Lyndon Avenue play park from next year's budget.

"It may well be that area councils can use some of their money to fund projects."