A HALSTEAD park play area has been forced to close after damage to the surface injured a child. 

The Ramsey Road play area entrance was chained closed on Monday and will remain closed until the surface is fixed. 

Unconfirmed reports suggest the damage was caused by older kids pulling up the service, creating a number of holes. 

Mum of two, April Sicwebu, 29, said: "I wasn't shocked when the park was closed as my daughter had fell a few times over the tarmac. 

"Not bad injuries to the point to see a doctor but it was possible for someone to get hurt.

"We don't live far from the other parks but because of health I can't always walk down the road to other parks.

"I am very sad that the park won't be open until it is fixed but I think as a community we should come together to raise money to fix or sort out the park so the kids can enjoy it again."

It is unclear at the moment how long it will take to fix the play area surface and how long it will remain closed for.

Another mum, who uses the park regularly, said: "Im so angry and disappointed this has happened. People should teach their kids "respect it or lose it".

"Those kids have now spoilt it for the rest of us.

"I live in a flat without a garden so that park was ideal place to pop out for 20mins with my son who is almost 2. Now if I want to take him to a play park I have to walk an extra 10mins down hill and then back up again. 

"With my health problems I am not always able to do that. Yes I could take him over the park still but he will get bored easily just running around an empty field and its not always ideal with groups of teens sitting on benches smoking, or older children playing football without taking care of hitting people with it or dogs running around off leads. 

"The play area was a safe and secure place to enjoy so fresh air and now we have lost that."

A Braintree District Council statement said: "We are in the process of receiving quotes for the repair.

"We received a report from a resident that a child had fallen over the damaged surface which is why we have taken the precaution to close the play equipment within the park until repairs are made."