SIX children’s play parks are facing closure under a council shake-up.

Durham County Council wants to retain all but ten of the 176 play parks it is responsible for across the county.

But six are considered to be beyond economic repair and could close. They are those at: Clink Bank in Witton Gilbert; Dunelm Place in Shotton Colliery; Hillside View in Sherburn Village; the Racecourse in Durham City; St John’s Road in High Pittington; and David Terrace in Quarrington Hill.

Play parks in Broompark and Waterhouses have been transferred to town and parish councils and those at Finchale Avenue in Brasside and South Lea in Witton Gilbert could follow.

Fifteen sites have been included on a priority list for further investment: Blackhall Colliery and Rocks; Burnopfield; Castle Eden; Chester-le-Street; Consett; Crook; Easington Village; Ebchester; Flinthill; Perkinsville; Shildon; Stanley; Station Town; Wellfield; and Wheatley Hill.

The strategy was agreed by the council’s cabinet meeting at Crook today (Wednesday, July 15).

Steve Howell, the council’s head of culture and sport, said the authority was providing a sustainable framework for the future of play in County Durham, recognising its ongoing commitment to play.