UPSET parents and grandparents have contacted Nub News asking us to call on Thurrock Council to take some action to improve safety at a children's play area in Grays.

Following on from yesterday's (Friday, 7 August report) about the council taking action to close down and then attempt repairs on Balstonia Park in Corringham, the lack of action over Hathaway Park has also been highlighted.

The play area has been used for generations by local children, but is certainly looking its age - and if the same criteria applied by the council in Corringham were applied it would seem it should be shut down.

The state of the play area was raised at full council in February by ward councillor Lynn Worrall but little appears to have happened since.

Local residents are very disgruntled and some have repeatedly contacted the council asking for improvements, but they have struggled to get any response.

The frustration if one local grandmother is encapsulated in this message who said: "It appears you do not want to contact me with regard to the disgusting state of play equipment at Hathaway Playing Fields.

"Or are you just waiting for a small child to have a tragic accident?"

Thurrock Council has been invited to comment.