RESIDENTS in the Keighley Road area of Skipton are to resist any attempt to close their Bold Venture playground.

They are prepared to resurrect their campaign of 2000 which successfully persuaded Skipton Town Council not to close the site.

The threat to the playground has come in a consultant's report, which has been compiled for the town council.

The council has pointed out that the document is the first part of an overall strategy for improving the 10 playgrounds it already owns and no decision will be made until the public has had a chance to comment.

A spokesman for the residents said any suggestion of closure needed to be "nipped in the bud".

The survey's comments about Bold Venture say it is poorly situated and the condition of the equipment shows it is has limited use.

"Due to the location of this site, and limited amount of housing with easy access consideration may be given to either to remove the site as a play area within the expected life cycle or develop with a higher age range in mind," says the report.

Geoff Hill, of Skipton Town Council, said the report had been prepared as part of an overall strategy instead of the piecemeal approach of tackling one or two playground sites each year.

A strategic approach would enable the council to spend its money more effectively.

Mr Hill added the consultants had had an unbiased view. People were now being asked what they thought and a decision would be made in the future.

"There are no plans to get rid of anything or upgrade anything yet. It is just a consultation document and any decisions will come later," said Mr Hill.

But residents say the suggestion that Bold Venture should be stripped of its equipment brought back unhappy memories of what happened the last time the council had a report from an outside agency - a recommendation for closure.

The report also suggests that the equipment at Aireville Park (which is owned by Craven District Council not Skipton Town Council) should be moved closer to the car park.