A SCHOOLBOY has handed in a 200-signature petition to Winsford Town Council asking for urgent action to refurbish Stanthorne Playing Field.

Adam Smith, 10, of Hewitt Drive, a pupil at Wharton Junior School, told town councillors he and his friends enjoyed playing in the park.

He said: "These past couple of years has seen play equipment taken away from the park.

"There are only a couple of swings and a roundabout. It is getting very boring.

"My mum takes us to other parks in Cheshire, which have loads of equipment. Why can't we have some here?"

Residents say three pieces of equipment have been removed from the park and never replaced.

They feel the playing field has been neglected during the past few years and say if a new fence and lockable gate were to be put up, the residents on Hewitt Drive and Beckett Avenue would be willing to patrol and warden the park to prevent youths riding on motorbikes and destroying the area.

Adam was accompanied by his brother Jamie, eight, mum Debbie, and a group of other concerned residents.

Debbie said the petition had been signed by residents from the Clive and Stanthorne areas.

She said: "We have been asking for these improvements. It used to be a lovely park.

"It is right next to an industrial estate and so is a safe haven for the children.

"There is a lack of facilities for children."

Clr Pam Booher said: "I wholeheartedly support the residents as I have for 20 years. The number of young people has increased and we should look at this again."

Winsford Town Mayor, Clr Tony Hooton pledged that the council would look into the residents' concerns as a matter of urgency.

But Debbie added: "I would rather they had come up with a specific action plan."