A BOURTREEHILL play park is facing closure after being branded a danger to children.

Rainbow Park has been deemed “not fit for purpose” after failing a health and safety inspection.

North Ayrshire Council chiefs are preparing to remove the unsafe equipment and are now consulting with local residents on what to do with the park space.

Bourtreehill resident and local business owner Donna Babbington is now urging her fellow residents to respond to letters sent out by council chiefs on what to do with the park.

Donna says she fears children will be left with only the main park in the area to play in, where, she claims, there are serious concerns about anti-social behaviour and bullying.

Donna, who liases with the Streetscene service of the council on the upkeep of the woodland part of Bourtreehill, fears unless people voice their opinions, they could face not having any facilities at all.

She said: “The council are looking for feedback on what local parents would like to see happening at the area and as a local myself I would love to see the play area being redone and remaining a well-used play area away from the main park play area.

“This is a safer and friendlier option for many parents who for obvious reasons do not want their kids playing in the park because it`s too far away and due to the anti social and bullying incidents frequently heard of at the main play area in the park.

“If we don`t voice our opinions we risk losing the opportunity to gain from this and to be blunt, we need to speak up on this one or we can`t complain when it`s been taken away and landscaped because the council felt there was not enough interest from the local parents.” A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson confirmed to the Times the park has been deemed ‘not fit for purpose’ and added: “We are currently in consultation with residents over the future of the play park area. At this stage, no decision has been taken regarding the future of the play area and there are no proposals in place.”