MORE playground equipment could be cut down after being condemned as unsafe.

Horsforth and Aireborough ward councillors have revealed play equipment at Rawdon, Horsforth and Aireborough may face the

blow-torch as it is deemed dangerous under new European Union

guidelines.

In some cases, the equipment itself is sound, but has no protective matting underneath.

The announcement follows dismay last week when Otley and Wharfedale ward councillor Graham Kirkland discovered 19 potentially lethal pieces of equipment had been identified in Otley playgrounds.

Although Leeds Leisure Services says it will not decide which playgrounds will lose equipment until a full city-wide assessment has been completed, ward councillors have already been told which playgrounds contain the dangerous apparatus.

While all the councillors agree any dangerous equipment should come down as soon as possible, they want to see it replaced urgently.

The Rawdon playground behind the Jubilee Hall on Town Street is expected to lose some equipment, along with the HIPPO integrated playground for disabled and able-bodied children in Hall Park, Horsforth.

Some of the funding for this playground was raised by a group of volunteers in Horsforth.

Coun Chris Townsley (Lib Dem, Horsforth) said: "If children are going to be injured then it should be removed quickly. We'd be wrong to think otherwise, but it must be replaced as a matter of urgency.

"The children won't go away. We can't deprive the kids. There used to be three places to play in this ward, now we're down to just one."

He said large climbing frames removed from Newlaithes playground and Low Lane playground several years ago had never been replaced. The climbing frames were taken down because of a lack of rubber matting.

Coun Brian Cleasby (Lib Dem, Horsforth) fears children will turn to crime if no facilities are provided for them. He attacked the council for spending on the Leeds Millennium Square, which he felt would not benefit youngsters.

Aireborough ward councillor Graham Latty (Con) said he hoped to visit affected playgrounds with a council officer to inspect equipment, and see if any safety improvements could be made without removing equipment.

l Observer Editor Mel Vasey said: "Permanent removal of play equipment rather than providing safe surfacing would be a cop-out by the council and is not acceptable. We urge parents to put pressure on their councillors and MPs to provide safe play areas for children."