PERPLEXED homeowners in Winwick Park have received contradictory letters about the closure of open spaces and children's play equipment.

A letter sent on May 11 by Countryside Properties, which owns the site, told residents that a joint safety inspection by them and Warrington Borough Council had led to the closure.

But after annoyed residents went to a Winwick Parish Council meeting, which borough councillors attend, Warrington Borough Council denied involvement.

A letter sent on May 27 by Alan Stephenson, strategic director of environment and regeneration, said: "The decision to fence off the open space around your area was taken by Countryside Properties and is not as a result of any statement or inspection by Warrington Borough Council.

"We are awaiting Countryside Properties handing over of the land to the council for formal adoption."

Winwick Park residents are upset because the closure of play equipment coincides with school holidays and warm, summer weather.

Until the closure, residents had voluntarily been mowing the open space and picking up rubbish to try to keep it clean for their children.

Sean White, of Austen Drive, said: "Closing the equipment and play areas really seems like an easy fix, rather than a long-term solution and the timing, just when the kids really want to play out, shows there has been no regard to what the residents want.

"It really could have been resolved if they had brought in a couple of mowers but now the grass is so long it will be much harder to get under control.

"We went to the parish council to complain because we felt so let down by Warrington Borough Council and Countryside Properties but after one of the borough councillors came out and saw the play areas we all got a letter saying it had nothing to do with them."