A WOODEN play area, which has been condemned as being beyond repair, should be saved, says a Cornwall Councillor.

The play area at Bude's Summerleaze Beach is a favourite with children, both locals and holidaymakers.

But after an inspection by a team from Cornwall Council it has been described as being 'damaged beyond economical repair' and Cormac has been instructed to remove it.

Now Bude Liberal Democrat Cllr Nigel Pearce is campaigning for it to be saved. He has taken photographs of the equipment, which he says show it is still in a good enough condition and that damaged areas can be repaired.

He said a little rust on two poles could easily be replaced at a relatively small cost, while the wooden structure remained very sturdy.

Cllr Pearce said: "Cornwall Council receive hundreds of thousands of pounds a year in car park income at Summerleaze, with the refurbishment of parts of the play area costing hundreds at most. This play area must not be removed."

A contributing factor to the council's decision to remove the play area is that a similar structure would be better suited in other areas of Bude.

Stuart Wallace, public space officer for the council, said: "the adopted Open Space Strategy identifies higher priority play areas elsewhere in Bude, which are better located to serve local residents' strategic needs."

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.