PARENTS have applauded news of a review of play areas across Wyre Forest - but some voiced concern neighbourhood parks could end up being lost.

Mums, grandparents and youngsters enjoying a day out at Brinton Park, Kidderminster, spoke out after learning Wyre Forest District Council was drawing up a new strategy for the future of play areas. youngsters enjoy outdoor fun at Brinton Park play area.

Some 2,000 questionnaires are being sent out and park users quizzed to decide how to provide play zones.

Earlier this year the council had proposed pumping money into creating four "super sites" at key parks, while gradually closing down 13 neighbourhood play areas. That proposal is now on hold pending the outcome of the review.

Chris Kimber, 34, mum to five-month-old Daniel, said she regularly visited her neighbourhood play area at Baxter Gardens, off Birmingham Road, Kidderminster.

"It would be terrible if that park was to go - it's really popular."

Chris, from Baldwin Road, Kidderminster, added: "Something needs to be done but I hope the smaller ones don't go."

Daniel's grandmother Geraldine Kimber, from Pinkham Lane, Cleobury Mortimer, said she was a regular visitor to the town.

"It would be such a shame if the local parks were to go. Many people like to be able to walk to their park with their children and don't want to - or can't - jump in a car."

Jayne Pinder, 33, from Linnet Rise, Kidderminster, said she regularly visited play areas with her four-year-old son Matthew. Jayne Pinder and son Matthew, four.

"We visit the play area in Spennells, but the roundabout has been taken away and the swings and slide aren't great but it's our nearest park. We go there about three times a week.

"We also visit Brinton Park about once a week but it would be great if our local park was in better condition."

Alison Lewis, 32, from Briar Hill, Chaddesley Corbett, said: "Brinton Park is deteriorating rapidly. Alison Lewis and children Kathryn, seven, and Jonathan, five, of Chaddesley Corbett.

"The toddler climbing frame and slide just disappeared, there is only one swing and two baby swings instead of the eight there should be and the bin has been burnt out.

"It might be a good idea to create fewer good quality parks."

Susan Whitehouse, 54, looks after her two grandsons while their mum works. "I take the kids to the play area at Baxter Gardens nearly every day, and we come to Brinton Park quite often," said Mrs Whitehouse, from Hurcott Road.

"I would rather see several smaller parks close to people's homes.

"Not everyone has transport and if you've got a few kids it can be hard to get around on foot or bus."

But she added she understood the maintenance problems facing the council.

"Nearly every day when I walk my dog at Baxter Gardens there is broken glass on the ground and rubbish strewn about, and workers are often there clearing up. Some trees were planted then destroyed within days."

Fellow grandmother Pat Moraity, 54, from Upton Road, Kidderminster, said she visited her neighbourhood play area regularly, and also found it was targeted by vandals.

"It spoils it for the younger kids. More should be done to stop the vandals."

Her grandson Gary Moraity, 12, from Usmere Road, Kidderminster, said he had been to several parks in the town and his favourite was Springfield Park. "It's brilliant there. There's a big field for playing sports, basketball courts, a paddling pool and a playground for the younger ones. But there is a lot of grafitti, which spoils it a bit."

Simon Trickett, Wyre Forest's marketing and projects manager, said there would be no spending on new equipment until the outcome of the review, but regular inspections would continue and unsafe equipment would be removed.

The toddler slide and swings at Brinton Park had been taken away for safety reasons, he added.

Anyone who wants to take part in the council review by filling in a questionnaire can get one by calling 01562 732903.