PLANS to revamp children's play areas in Croydon have been put on hold.

Government cuts have now hit the town's youngsters after the plug was effectively pulled on schemes to revitalise playgrounds across the borough.

Croydon had initially earmarked more than £440,000 in funding, but the money has been frozen. Now the council says it is no longer in a position to proceed with developing nine play spaces.

The schemes affected include those in Addiscombe Recreation Ground, Bourne Park, Kenley, and Haling Grove, South Croydon; in The Lawns, Upper Norwood, Parkfields, Shirley, and the Shrublands estate, Shirley; and in Wandle Park, Waddon, Westow Park, Upper Norwood, and Valley Park, Croydon.

A spokesman for the Department for Education said: "Play has to make its contribution to tackling the (national budget) deficit."

Confirming what it has been told by the Government, a spokesman for Croydon Council said: "The department is reviewing spending and will confirm revised allocations at the end of August."

Lalitha McLennan, of the Friends of Westow Park Group, says she is desperately disappointed that money she had been expecting now hangs in the balance.

Plans were in place to create an area for children aged eight to thirteen in Westow Park.

Lalitha said: "There are no facilities for that age group.

"We were planning an adventure playground style scheme, football goalposts and a big tyre swing.

"I think it is very short-sighted of the Government to pull this money because at the end of the day it is going to create more social problems and cost them more money."