A father of two from Whitchurch is angry at the state of a dilapidated play area.

Jay Britton says the play equipment in St Augustine's Park off Whitchurch Lane is a disgrace and has become a haven for youths and anti-social behaviour.

Mr Britton, 36, wife Rebecca, 37, and their two sons Harvey, eight, and Daniel, four, travel to Knowle because he says the dilapidated and vandalised play equipment is unsafe and unusable.

And he is disappointed nothing has been done to rectify the issue despite the "right noises" being made by Bristol City councillor for Whitchurch Park Tim Kent.

Mr Kent said residents in Whitchurch were right to be angry but that he was working hard to resolve the problem.

Mr Britton said: "Whitchurch is in desperate need of a play area for children. There is some play equipment but it is old and dilapidated. The swing frames don't look safe and there is an old slide.

"It's really grotty. There is nothing for the children to pay on safely – it's absolutely abysmal really. At the moment we can not take our children there and it has become a bit of a haven for Asbo kids for want of a better phrase.

"There was a meeting not long ago, probably at least two months, talking about getting it all revamped.

"Councillor Tim Kent had made the right noises suggesting that he was going to sort it all out if we got on board with him.

"They were talking about getting a committee together to sort it so I put my name forward.

"The meeting was very positive and I think we all came away really believing that something would be done but it seems to have all fallen by the wayside.

"There are loads of parents with young children in Whitchurch so it is something that will benefit the whole area. I do feel like south Bristol is one of the most overlooked areas around."

Cllr Kent said: "It is right for this individual to be angry but it is the issue at the top of my agenda.

"The provisions in Whitchurch are inadequate and that is according to the council, not just myself. There has been a low level of investment in local parks for too many years."

Cllr Kent said he is talking with the council's executive member for parks with the aim of submitting a bid to the Neighbourhood Partnership Community Grants Fund which can make grants of up to £15,000 depending on the number of wards it encompasses.

He said once he has money in place he is looking to set up an official committee to look at improving the facilities in the area.

"This issue has definitely not been forgotten about it. People have waited long enough," Cllr Kent said.