A children's play area in an award-winning Swadlincote park has been left looking desolate and dejected with very little usable equipment.

Two weeks ago, Eureka Park was once again crowned one of the winners of the Green Flag Awards due to how well managed, clean and safe it is.

However, the children's play area in the park is currently in a sorry state and much of the equipment has been rendered unusable – which remained the case throughout half-term.

This meant the park itself was largely redundant throughout a period in which it would be expected to see more use.

Of the nine swings on the park – including a large net bowl swing – just two are available.

One of the swings for younger children has yellow tape wrapped around it marking it out of use.

The tape had been used to tie it to the top of the frame but has come loose in the wind.

Meanwhile, the large net bowl swing has been padlocked to the side of its frame, putting it out of use..

All four swings on the swingset for older children have been removed, leaving the frame redundant.

Up until the end of half-term the fenced-off area of the park for toddlers had been padlocked and zip-tied shut, though the lock now appears to have been removed.

A spokesperson for South Derbyshire District Council, which is responsible for the play area's maintenance, said: "The repair work to the small play area has been carried out but was left closed for the safety surfacing to cure. It is now open.

"Unfortunately, another swing has been damaged so had to be taped off.

"The swings above the resurfacing will be replaced today (November 2)."

The council was asked when the work had originally been scheduled to be carried out and when it had been due to be completed.