CHILDREN'S play equipment installed in a park was removed after just two weeks - because the council cannot get insurance for it.

Dad Steve Wright, 40, was pleased when Weymouth and Portland Borough Council put two new baby swings in the park on Weston Road, Portland, which he often visits with his four-year- old daughter Stephanie.

But to his amazement, around two weeks ago council workmen came along and took down all four swings in the park - including the ones that had only just been put up - and left all the other play equipment in place.

Mr Wright phoned the council to find out what had happened and was told the swings had been removed because the council's insurance company wouldn't cover anyone injured while using them.

"I know insurance premiums have gone up, but we're tax payers and these are the services we pay for."

Mr Wright says the council's fear of legal action doesn't make any sense.

"Are they going to take the slides and everything else down? It's ridiculous," he said.

"Someone could trip over the swing bars in the dark or hurt themselves on the tarmac. What are they going to do? I think there will be an outcry from parents about this.

"It's even worse when your council tax is going up all the time and they can't afford something like insurance."

The borough council's corporate director for environmental services, Richard Burgess, said the removal of the swings had been down to the poor state of repair of the playing surface underneath the equipment.

He said: "The park in Weston Road, like a number of playgrounds, has been the subject of an inspection by our insurers. As a result we have had to temporarily close a number of items of play equipment.

"The safety surface below them was unsatisfactory and did not pass the inspection. If council members find money to replace the surfaces they will go back in. If they decide on a reduction of the number of parks, equipment that is reusable will be reused."