A children’s play area in Hendon Park is in serious need of an urgent makeover, according to a local councillor.

Councillor Mark Shooter, a representative for Hendon ward, is appalled at the condition of the play park at the Queen’s Road green space, which has fallen into severe disrepair.

A group of mothers last year began lobbying Barnet Council to do something about the broken swings, tatty roundabouts and perishing rubber seats.

The authority said it had no money to pay for repairs but has since carried out minor maintenance.

It is now in the process of helping the campaigners obtain other sources of funding for a larger scale renovation.

But Cllr Shooter believes the authority should do more to help.

He said: “There is money allocated for our green spaces and some needs to be spent here. I get one complaint after another about the park.

“Budgets are tight but it takes someone to put their head above the parapet and demand better parks.

“Good facilities help businesses like the park’s café, get people outdoors and are good for the health of people in the borough. The situation has come to a head and something needs to be done.”

Cllrr Shooter says he is lobbying Barnet Council leader Richard Cornelius on the issue but the authority continues to claim it has no money for the repairs.

A council spokesman said: “As part of the annual maintenance schedule five pieces of play equipment were replaced. Other items of equipment are older but are still in a good working order.

“Longer term, the council is helping a group of residents develop their own proposals to enhance the play area which will allow them to bid for external grant funding which is not available to the council.”