CARDIGAN residents have voiced their disappointment at a newly-created "natural play area" at Netpool, claiming it is not a suitable replacement for the facilities replaced.

Parents have expressed concern over the safety of small children using the site.

Previously, the play area boasted swings, slides and climbing frames, all of which have been removed.

The new "natural play area" sees banked mounds of earth containing crawling tubes along with large stones and rocks.

The site at Netpool was the last play area provided by the Ceredigion County Council with responsibility for all other facilities in the county transferred to community groups and town and community councils in a bid to cut costs.

One option for the site had been due to been to lay it with grass after all the equipment had been removed, but following consultation with children in the area the county council chose to develop the natural play facility.

However, parents and residents have been left fuming by the alterations.

"It is wholly unsuitable and unsafe as a play facility for young children," said one angry resident, who asked to remain anonymous.

“The play area has been replaced by a large mound of earth with recycled drainage tubes with incorporated rocks.

"Surely our young children deserve better and safer than secondhand drainage tubes and the earth spoils that came from the back of the cemetery.

“The smallest of the drain tubes could trap a child, older youths have already been cycling over it using it as a ramp, right next to the large rocks.”

Town councillors have also expressed disappointment at the play area and have received a letter voicing further concerns.

They did though accept that the necessary safety work to ensure the safety of children had been carried out.

A Ceredigion County Council spokesperson said: “While natural play installations are a relatively new concept in Ceredigion they are recognised by play experts as a low cost and low maintenance way of enabling children to stay connected with nature.

"The use of the new facility will be monitored and consideration given to any feedback received.

“Some further works including re-sowing of site will take place during Spring 2017.”