fifty parents are campaigning for the reinstatement of a children's play area.

The residents, of Spring Bank, Keighley, have signed a petition calling for the removal of a new sign banning ball games on grass at Hainworth Wood Road. Youngsters have played there for at least 30 years. Protestors are pictured above.

One of the petitioners - Michelle Walton, of Larch Street - says the sign appears to have gone up following complaints from just one person. She and her fellow campaigners blame the ban for an accident last Thursday in which a three-year-old girl was hurt as she played on the road with friends. She was detained in hospital overnight after she darted between parked cars into the path of a vehicle travelling along Hainworth Wood Road. Luckily the car was only travelling slowly but the little girl suffered cuts, bruises and concussion.

"Children have always played football there," says Michelle. "Now they daren't go on the grass and this is what happens. "We've handed a petition to the council but we've been told the sign can't be moved."

Michelle says there are many small children living in the area and terraced properties have only small yards. She says she was able to keep an eye on her own three-year-old daughter when she was playing on the grass. "I wouldn't dream of sending her to the recreation ground further away," she says. "When children were on this land we knew they were safe.

"I think it is unfair if one person can prevent crowds of children from playing there."

Bradford council says it has received the petition and it will be considered in due course.

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