WORCESTER City Council's new Labour leadership says it has "no plans" to shut any play areas after being challenged on its intentions.

The city's opposition Conservative group has called upon the administration to avoid any repeats of the Warndon Villages row in 2013, when Howcroft Green was ripped out due to cuts.

At the time the Guildhall was in Labour control and the move sparked fury, with residents complaining about a lack of consultation.

Tory Councillor Stephen Hodgson, speaking during a council meeting, said he wanted assurances there would be no repeats.

He said: "During the previous Labour administration in 2013 the Howcroft Green play area was suddenly removed despite no prior consultation with (councillors), Warndon Parish Council or the residents - many of whom were upset."

He said the Tories upped spending on play parks once it regained power and that another facility in Bodiam Close, once threatened, now enjoys a "new lease of life".

Councillor Hodgson has urged the cabinet to make a commitment to "retain and maintain" all the play areas in Warndon Villages.

Councillor Jabba Riaz, cabinet member for a clean, green and safe city, told the chamber he was "delighted to see the refurbishment of the play area of Bodiam Avenue".

He also said the leadership "intends to continue to enhance play areas across the city" rather than cut them.

After further questioning from the opposition on any future cuts, he said: "I can quite categorically say, we're not planning to do anything of the sort."

Two years ago Bodiam Close's junior play area was set to be axed by the council after the equipment was found to be rotten, corroded and broken.

A rescue plan was stitched together and the condemned sections were removed, with the rest staying open.

Last year the council's old Tory leadership - aware that play areas had become an election issue - sunk an extra £148,000 into capital improvements at five Worcester sites.

That included Diglis, Lansdowne Road, Middleton Gardens, Field Walk in St Peter's and the Green Centre in Dines Green.

The council owns around 50 play areas in the city with a hefty proportion - 15 - being in Warndon or Warndon Villages.