CHILDREN are missing out on playground fun due to myths about safety, a Wyre Forest councillor has claimed.

Rob Wheway, who represents the Broadwaters ward on the district council, worked on a national report with the message that safe should not mean boring.

Having been involved with children's play since 1971, Mr Wheway said problems arose because of various "misinterpretations" of the evidence available.

The study stated that misconceptions about safety had led some local authorities to adopt an "over-cautious" approach when choosing what equipment to install in playgrounds.

The report claimed one of the biggest myths was that current EU legislation banned exciting playground apparatus.

According to the study, there was no such law and the European Standard, which has been effective since 1999, only existed in an advisory capacity.

Mr Wheway is play adviser for the national charity behind the study, The Child Accident Prevention Trust.

He said: "The biggest problem that children face today is the dependency placed on the car.

"They don't have the same opportunity to walk around their neighbourhoods like their parents or grandparents did because of the fear of traffic.

"Parks and playgrounds are more exciting now than they have ever been and it is such a shame that some are missing out."

Andrew Dickens, Wyre Forest District Council's head of cultural, leisure and commercial services, said it would continue its on-going policy of revamping its playgrounds.

He added: "We understand the importance that playgrounds have in the development of children. We are fortunate because we have been able to use Mr Wheway's advice and experience in the past and we will continue to do so in the future."