A GROUP of mums is aiming to set up a charity that will attract funding to improve the Den play area on Teignmouth sea front, because they believe it is unsafe and potentially dangerous for young children.

They say that the whole area needs rethinking, because much of the equipment is old and needs replacing, and the boating pool is particularly unsuitable for toddlers.

'I have a two-year-old daughter and, like other mothers, I can never relax when I'm with her in the area,' said Paula Rawlings, of Headway Rise, Teignmouth. 'I have been on to Teignbridge Council, and was told that the kids' playground came after flower beds in terms of priorities!'

Mrs Rawlings said that certain items had been repaired recently, but she was still worried about the quality of the safety flooring and the state of the timber boat and climbing frame.

'Many of us are particularly concerned about the boating pool being located in the area,' she said. 'It's got low walls which children can climb over and fall into the water in summer or into an empty pool in the winter.

'I know the council rents out the pool as a business and we don't want to put anyone out of work, but we'd like to explore ways of working together, perhaps by erecting a safety fence between the play area and the pool.'

In a recent survey, conducted by SureStart Dawlish and Teignmouth, the Den play area was identified as the most frequently used in Teignmouth.

SureStart's Chrissie Johnson has backed the mothers in their concerns over health and safety.

'I know that Teignbridge Council is strapped for cash, but if the parents can get a charity up and running it would qualify for new funding,' she said.

Michelle Kenney, for Teignbridge Council, said that they were aware of the community concern and that they welcomed the formation of a community group.

'Up until now we have kept up with the maintenance and repair of the vandalism-related damage required to keep the area safe,' she said. 'All our play areas are independently inspected by Zurich, our insurers, and the Den was inspected earlier this year. Their recommendations were complied with.'

Ms Kenney said that in addition the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) carried out inspections on all Teignbridge play areas. The Den had been inspected three years ago and all significant risks dealt with.

She said that RoSPA was due to conduct another district-wide inspection this summer.

'However, we do acknowledge that the Den play area has reached the end of its useful life and we are adopting a positive view regarding its refurbishment in the future,' said Ms Kenney. 'We're hopeful that this can be in partnership with SureStart and the community group, and perhaps also with the Teignmouth Regeneration Project.'

If you would like to be involved with the community group, its first meeting is being held on Tuesday at 1pm in the Methodist Church Hall, Somerset Place, Teignmouth. A free crèche will be provided by SureStart.

For further information contact Chrissie Johnson, at Surestart, on 01626 879776.