FAMILIES in Ramsgate are demanding that Thanet council spends £50,000 it has held for the past three years on their play area.

Northwood residents want the council to release the cash it negotiated for new equipment as part of a land deal with Abbey Homes.

LONG WAIT: Councillors Mark Nottingham, left, and Liz Green, top right, join residents in their fight to get money promised to be spent on Jackey Bakers play area three years ago GIGW20110216C-003_C

Dad-of-three Alex Swan, who stopped taking his children to the play area at Jackey Bakers because it is so run-down, said: "Our play area has not been looked after for the past few years.

"All we have is a rusty slide, two run down climbing frames and swings.

"Things are so bad that I have to take the kids to the nice play area at Dane Park instead."

Thanet council signed the deal with Abbey Homes in February 2008.

Three years on Councillor Elizabeth Green wants to know why nothing has been done.

She said: "It is very disappointing that Thanet council appears to have just 'pocketed' this £50,000 instead of spending it, as intended, on this run-down play area at Jackey Bakers.

"I have been chasing this funding with the council for several years and have continually had a brush off.

"Last year I was promised a full consultation with residents and it still hasn't happened.

"There has been a longstanding desperate need for play equipment in Northwood and this funding cannot be spent elsewhere, so why hasn't it been put in place? Where has the money been sitting?"

Mr Swan said hanging on to the money hurts families.

He added: "This place is falling apart and we are getting neglected by the council.

"I am very angry about this because they would rather sit on it than look after the children."

Dad-of-two Gerald Parish, 32, says the play area is the worst in Thanet.

He said: "The play equipment is old and rusty and it's falling to pieces.

"Our kids deserve better than this. Someone needs to tell Thanet council to spend our money on our park."

A council spokesman said: "The council can confirm the money for this work is still available and the work will form part of the council's capital programme for 2011/12.

"In advance of any work, the council will be working with ward members and local parents to get their views on what will meet their needs."