FRAUGHT residents have made a desperate bid to save a children's play area at a meeting with Hugh Bayley, MP for the City of York.

It is feared that Back Park, in Leeman Road, York, which is the only dry play area for children living in the area, could be developed into housing.

Residents met Mr Bayley to take him round the park.

Iain Simpson-Laing of Leeman Road said: "As it is a terraced street, the park is very important to children. At a time when we are meant to be taking more exercise the proposed closure is a travesty."

Suggestions have been mooted for part of the park to be developed into housing to solve some of the antisocial behaviour problems which plague the area.

But residents have strongly opposed the plans, drawing attention to the dangers getting rid of the play area may pose for children.

Mr Simpson-Laing said: "Leeman Road has a lot of children in it.

"Houses have back gardens but these are the size of a postage stamp.

"Children cannot play in the street because it is too dangerous, but they will have nowhere else to go."

The residents pleas were strongly supported by Mr Bayley, who said: "With no recreational ground, young people will be forced to socialise on the streets rather than having a safe place to play sports and have fun. The council should look for a way to save the park."

The land was originally given to York residents and the council by the Rowntree family at the beginning of the20th century. Some residents have suggested bad council budgeting is behind the idea to develop some of the land.

Sonja Bailey, Labour candidate for Holgate, said: "The Rowntree family were a credit to York and took their social responsibilities seriously. I do not feel the residents of Leeman Road should suffer for the poor budget management of the Liberal Democrats."

But the Lib Dem council has insisted the issue is based on security due to the high incidence of anti-social behaviour at the park.

Martin Bartlett, Lib Dem candidate for Holgate, agreed the issue was one of money, but it was not about making money by selling the park but raising funds to improve it, possibly by building houses.

Coun Bartlett said: "We have little money to make the sort of improvements needed. We are keen to work with residents to develop the play area but the issue is; where does the money come from?"

Council leader, Steve Galloway, said: "Simply building at one end of the site to make it more secure should stop some of the disturbance."

He insisted no final decision had been made.