PLAY equipment taken from a rundown park could be re-installed elsewhere.

Stonards Hill playground in Epping will be updated this year, benefiting from a £74,500 makeover.

But the old equipment could be re-installed in Lower Swaines park, despite a councillor describing it as of a "poor standard."

Last year an inspector said Stonards Hill was in need of an 'urgent review,' prompting town councillors to secure funding for it's refurbishment.

They hope to update Lower Swaines at a later date, but in the mean time, old equipment from Stonards Hill could be installed in the park.

Town clerk Bob Whittome said: "The Stonards Hill equipment is not actually very old. It may still be useful. We won't know that until it's dug out. If it's reusable we can put it elsewhere. But we won't know until it's dismantled."

But councillor Rob Macrae told the Guardian recently that his own daughter did not use the park at Stonards Hill because of the equipment.

He added: "We've been going to Theydon Bois because of the poor standard of Stonards Hill."

Vandals have damaged much of the equipment, costing the council around £17,000 a year in repairs.

But town councillors have decided to use funding to buy new equipment rather than install CCTV cameras to monitor the area.

Mr Whittome justified the refurbishment saying: "Stonards Hill is the flagship site and should have the best possible equipment. It's the best site to update because it has the best access."

Epping Upland school headteacher Sarah Hurwood said the safety of a play park is paramount.

She added: "It's the most critical aspect of any play area. If Lower Swaines had nothing and the equipment from Stonards Hill is deemed safe, it would be fine to use it elsewhere. But if it's not safe then it's not appropriate to re-use it. The more open spaces we have the better because it's beneficial for the children and adds to their life experience.

"In Epping Green we have our own village field and it's very well supported. It's created a good community atmosphere and most of the children at Epping Upland use this, rather than going to Lower Swaines or Stonards Hill."