A PROPOSED £150,000 playground at Bowness could be hijacked by youths and used as a drink and drugs den, it has been claimed.

Town councillors and police officers expressed concern over a number of health and safety issues they believe could arise if South Lakeland District Council's plans for a new adventure play area next to the existing putting green become reality.

PC Kevin Robson told a meeting of Windermere Town Council that the facility, funded by a National Lottery grant, could be a magnet for substance-abusing youths.

The proposed play area would be built on overgrown land in a disused quarry next to a pitch and putt golf course, which would remain, although two of the holes would have to be realigned.

However, Coun Adrian Legge said he could not understand the need for a representation of South Lakeland in a play area when children were free to explore all the natural surroundings of the Lake District.

For full story see this week's Westmorland Gazette.