PARENTS have won their battle to get a rusty set of swings replaced in a run-down play area - but were warned that no extra funds are available for further improvements at the site.

Campaigners in Wanstead have labelled the council's promise to buy a new set of swings for Christchurch Green a 'bittersweet victory' after it told them no more cash would be released to upgrade other dilapidated equipment.

Area one committee made £5,000 available for improvements to the play area in August after worried parents organised a 300-name petition - and councillors finally agreed to 'ring-fence' £3,500 of this for replacement swings during a public meeting at the play area last night (Monday).

But father-of-two Scott Shillum, who led the campaign, said the remaining £1,500 was nowhere near enough to fix the other problems at the site - which was recently assessed as needing a range of 'category one' repairs by council officers.

He said: "The good news is the fact that the swings will be replaced when they reach the end of their serviceable life. The bad news is that the hard fought for £5,000 secured from Area One committee will have to go towards this.

"I think the main culprits here are the people at the council who decide how the overall budget for play parks is spent. Although considerable sums of money have been spent on new 'natural play' areas in the borough, none of that money has reached Wanstead.

"It also means there is nothing left over for upgrades. It's disgraceful that we've had to ring fence a large proportion of this recent award in case there is no further funding forthcoming when the swings finally need replacing.

"All in all a bitter sweet victory but we'd like to thanks Area One committee for their support so far, and of course the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian for keeping the story on the news agenda."

Fellow parent Robert Dean, of Warwick Road, said the play area was in an 'embarrassing' state.

He said: "We moved here from Wandsworth and the play areas there had far better equipment and yet we were paying less council tax.

"The play area needs upgraded equipment, not just repairs."

Area One councillor, Sue Nolan, encouraged campaigners to set up a 'friends of' group to represent families who use the play area in the future.

A council spokeswoman 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."