WARRINGTON Borough Council has moved to allay concerns of residents who feared building work may be planned for Longbarn Park.

Neighbours met at Fearnhead Cross Community Centre last week after rumours emerged a change in status from park to meadow could indicate development was in the offing.

The council has now confirmed that is not the case.

A spokesman said: "Longbarn Park is one of Warrington Borough Council's public open space assets.

"The site features include a wet meadow which has been established in areas subject to poor drainage.

"This has developed a diverse range of wet meadow species of grasses and wildflowers.

"The establishment of this meadow does not change the parks status as a public amenity."

Residents met at Fearnhead Cross after concerns were raised on the Farmer's Arms Facebook page.

The pub on Fearnhead Lane had called for people to attend.

Carolyn Bayley, of Barnes Avenue, said: "There are rumours it is being sold off for building land.

"There aren't many green areas anymore, and personally I use that park every day to walk my dog, and my daughter uses it.

"It would be a blow to lose it.

"A lot of the other residents feel exactly the same way."

On Facebook, Gary Halliday Wernham said: "I think it's an outrage. Not impressed."

Helen Jones said: "Disgusting. It should stay a park. Not much else for kids in the area."

Tori Alldred said: "We back onto the park and bought our house for the simple reason it wasn't overlooked and was pleasant.

" I'm not going to be happy if it gets built on."