PARTS of a children's playground in a Worcester park remains closed due to problems with rotten wood, splitting timbers and a “finger-trap” risk.

Sections of the Area 51 play area in Power Park, St Peter’s, have been fenced off for several weeks due to health and safety reasons and it is not yet known when the facility will re-open.

St Peter’s Parish Council confirmed at its meeting on Monday evening (February 23) that it is still in discussion with contractors over the issues and a site meeting will take place shortly.

The local authority is hoping to get the affected timbers replaced and repaired at no cost to the parish, considering the relatively short period of time since the original installation.

Paul Thorlby, chairman of the council, said at the meeting: “We will continue to pursue the matter.”

Area 51 was built in the spring of 2011 and opened by the then Mayor of Worcester David Tibbutt.

It was jointly funded by the playbuilder scheme, the Worcestershire health leadership fund and the parish council.

The underlying theme of the project was developed by the children of Cherry Orchard Primary School based on the English Civil War.

The play area is owned by the parish council while routine maintenance and inspection is undertaken by Worcester City Council.