ANGRY Droitwich residents are campaigning to save a town play area which has become an occasional haunt for vandals and drug users.

Residents have been left saddened by the news that Spa Housing Association plans to demolish the rundown equipment in Vines Lane for safety reasons. Some believe that groups of youths, drug users and poor maintenance are to blame for the condition of the site.

Karen Collins, from Vines Lane, said: "Destroying it is not the answer and lets vandals and drug users win.

"There are a lot of houses around and a number of young children who would use the playground if it were to be improved.

"The Vines Lane play area does attract youths and there have been syringes and used condoms found on the site in the past. But even though the play area has become rundown, it should be updated and cleaned up."

Some residents admit that the site is not used as often as it could be, but say the answer is to clean it up rather than pull it down.

Plans to demolish the site were revealed in a letter to homeowners from the Spa Housing Association which is responsible for the area. The letter stated that there were no funds with which to improve the equipment.

Residents are now campaigning to change the decision, and some of them plan to meet Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff to put their case.

Housing manager Helen Dewbery said: "The play area is in a state that would not pass health and safety checks and has been cordoned off. We have decided to demolish the play area and re-grass the site. The cost to redevelop it would be large and while it might be useful for other people in the area we do not feel it will be useful to our tenants in the actual properties that we own."