A PLAY area in Highworth with condemned equipment will be improved, town councillors have pledged.

Swindon Borough Council spent a £50,000 grant from the government’s Playbuilder Programme on new equipment for the Northview playground in 2011.

However the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents visited the site earlier this year and condemned a zipline, a slide, and a mobilus spinner.

Now, Highworth town councillors have revealed that they will make improving the area a priority for the next two years.

Coun Lynn Vardy, chair of the Leisure Committee, said: "We have the funding and we are making Northview a priority because most of it is condemned and we didn't choose that equipment."

Town clerk David Lane said: “Northview was much-loved but what Swindon put in was not of good quality.

"It's not neglected, we know what we have to do but nothing in local government happens overnight."

The zipline was located at the bottom of the hill where the water runs to its lowest point and is very close to the surface.

This caused the supporting beams to rot very quickly and the zipline is too expensive to replace so it'll be removed by the end of May.

The mobilus will be temporarily removed to replace a mechanism in its top section, then the equipment will be returned to the playground.

ROSPA recommended that the slide be shortened and embedded directly into the grass embankment.

The Northview Working Party is considering additional pieces of equipment for the play area which could include two benches.

The subject of play areas was brought up at the Town Meeting when Eva Millard. the only resident to attend, suggested that townsfolk could fundraise to pay for new equipment and youth facilities if necessary.

She said: "You have teenagers causing issues for older people and hanging outside the shops because there's nothing for 11-to-14-year-olds to do around here.

“If we get a group of people willing to fundraise and do things to top up what you have and bring something in for the youth, surely that's a good thing?

Coun Nick Gardiner said: "We are working towards a skate park for that age group."

Coun Keith Smith said: "As long as you know what you want, we'd be prepared to sit down with you and talk the group through all the rules and regulations."