THE opening of a £250,000 play area in Blackburn has been delayed after complaints it was not fit for disabled users.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has insisted the park meets safety requirements but additional facilities are to be installed in Blackburn's Longshaw Green Park after feedback from local people.

But today residents' groups accused the council of failing to ensure their views were taken on board.

Opening of the play area has been delayed up to a month while the extra work is completed.

The £250,000 makeover of the park off Manxman Road has been largely paid for with Liveability funding -- a £3million pot of government cash to improve and create of public spaces across the UK.

Private contractors for the council began work on the play area earlier this year.

It followed consultation with schoolchildren and residents' associations, who were invited to give their views on design.

Chairman of Peel Close & Crosby Road Residents' Association, Alan Walker said: "We came up with ideas suitable for disabled children so it could be used by the whole community but the play equipment they've put up is not what we asked for.

"For example, they put down gravel grit as a surface and bark chipping underneath a spider's web rope frame. Someone could smash a bottle and you wouldn't know it was there."

Chairman of Longshaw & Highercroft Residents' Association, Jack Crossland added: "We wanted a dual slide so a disabled child and their carer could use it and a roundabout capable of having a wheelchair clasped to it."

Ward member for Higher Croft Coun Andy Kay confirmed the cost of the extra work will be met by the contractors.

He added: "The scheme has not officially been handed over yet hence our recommendations for further work. The final scheme is compliant with disability regulations but we also want a wheelchair-friendly roundabout."

He added: "The park is safe and passed the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents test. Residents have asked for the chip bark surface under the ropeway be replaced with a soft, porous surface."