Skipton'S recreation grounds are in such a poor state of repair that it could cost half a million pounds to bring them up to scratch.

This figure was calculated by the North Yorkshire Playing Field Association during an inspection of the 10 recreation grounds maintained by Skipton Town Council.

The cost was released at the annual town meeting on Friday when campaigners against the closure of Bold Venture playing field challenged councillors over the proposal.

Mayor Richard Colley said the association had recommended closing the facility at the same time it had estimated the playgrounds would need £500,000 spending on them.

He added that the association thought that 10 playgrounds were too many for a town the size of Skipton.

"We are now looking into all recreation grounds and which ones are the priorities," he said. He stressed that no final decision had been made on the future of Bold Venture, or how to spend the £50,000 precepted for playgrounds over the coming year.

Campaign leader Allison Smith asked if the wishes of the residents would be taken into consideration when a decision was made. She said at the moment children were playing between the cars.

The playground, which was described as unsafe, was closed on a temporary basis several weeks ago much to the horror of residents.

Clerk to the council Andrea Adams said it would remain closed until it could be discussed at the next full council meeting on May 18.

Coun Marcia Turner said that the ground was not alone in being run down. She added that there were no swings in the Raikes Road playing field and it was a similar story around the district.

However Mrs Smith was not convinced that the council had been doing all it should have. She suggested that bad planning and management over recent years had squandered money set aside for the playgrounds.

Coun Colley said there had not been enough money in the precept, and the £10,000 each year had been swallowed up by mowing the grass and repairing vandalism.

Coun Paul English asked local residents to be patient and assured the public that Skipton's recreation grounds would be brought up to scratch, but that it could not be done over night.

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