CAMPAIGNERS will meet with councillors at a popular children's play area on Monday (October 5) to demand the replacement of its dilapidated swings.

Parents fear the swings, which are the only ones in the area, will not be replaced by the council when they are removed within the next 18 months.

Scott Shillum, of the Wanstead Society, has led calls for safety improvements and new apparatus to be installed at the site, in Woodbine Place, but said the £5,000 so far promised by Area One committee is not enough.

He said: "We want to make sure these swings are replaced.

"There are very limited facilities for small children in Wanstead and the main play park on Christchurch Green has been neglected for a long time.

"Whilst we are grateful to Area One committee for making money available we feel that it is nowhere near enough to bring the park up to scratch.

"We have recently learned that the swings have approximately 18 months of serviceable life left and there are no official funds to replace them.

"We are therefore trying to seek assurances from Redbridge Council that at the very least they will find the necessary funds to replace them."

The meeting will take place at the park at 6pm.

A spokeswoman for Redbridge Council said: "All the equipment at Christchurch Green is safe to use.

"Any safety repairs highlighted as a result of the monthly inspections by external contractors are evaluated and responded to accordingly.

"While the Council doesn't have an official budget for the replacement of the swings, Mr Shillum has been assured by officers that funding options are being explored.

"However, we estimate that there is at least 18 months until replacement would be necessary."