MOTHERS are calling for new play equipment to be put back into an empty park after dangerous swings were removed following an accident.

It was reported that a child was injured after she was on a swing which broke and fell down at the Queen's Road play park in North Weald.

An inspection was carried out straight away and the park shut down, but none of the removed equipment has been replaced.

An inspector recommended that the swings were taken away immediately from the play park, for health and safety reasons.

Nicola Smith-Pryor, 33 from North Weald said the accident could have been much worse.

She added: "We were there the day it happened. I think a little girl was swinging and it broke on her. I don't think she was severely hurt but they had to close the park straight away.

"It's worrying to think that the swings were dangerous and what could have happened. But since then nothing has been replaced.

"All we have in North weald is a slide and climbing frame and a basketball court covered in glass."

Mother of two Helen McNeilly, 31 has asked the council to replace the equipment.

She said: "I have three weeks left before my kids are on their summer holidays so I want to start a campaign to bring back the swings. There's nowhere to go in North Weald for kids to play."

Cathy Orna, 33 said the park should be better maintained.

She said: "It's one thing replacing what was there but we actually need more equipment. A lot of money was spent on the park at Stonards Hill in Epping and we need something like that here."

North Weald Parish Council Clerk Susan Deluca said the council is responsible for ensuring equipment is safe, but refused to provide details of the accident.

She said: "The Parish Council undertakes weekly visual inspections of all Parish Council owned play areas together with more comprehensive annual inspections.

"In May, the Parish Council was devastated to learn of an accident that occurred on the swings at our Queens Road play area. The play area was immediately closed."

A request has been made for new swings to be installed before the summer holidays.

But the council admitted that not all of the equipment removed for health and safety reasons would be replaced.