BURNLEY'S most popular playgrounds are set to be upgraded with a £350,000 cash injection.

The borough's 16 most used play areas will be refurbished thanks to a new fund created by the council.

However, bosses said they also plan to close eight playgrounds, which have been identified as having 'low or very low use'.

They said the council plans to work with park friends groups and volunteers to make sure the improvements meet the needs of the children who use them.

Among the playgrounds to be improved is Towneley Riverside, in Towneley Park, which is set to have £100,000 spent on it over the next eight years.

Queen's Park in the Bank Hall area of the town will also receive £27,500, while the play area in Healey Wood Park, in Rosehill, will receive £17,500 to develop a combined toddler and junior play area.

The playgrounds set for closure include Helena Park in Bank Hall, Barley Grove Park in Brunshaw, Burns Street Park in Daneshouse, Glamorgan Grove Park in Gannow, Partridge Hill Park in Gawthorpe, Baker Street park in Trinity, Healey Wood Park in Trinity and Richard Street Park in Bank Hall.

A council spokesman said the closures would free up maintenance money to be use on the remaining 50 play areas, with all the equipment being relocated to other parks.

The council will provide £250,000 funding with the rest of the cash found through external grants.

Maureen Frankland, chairman of the Friends of Towneley Park group, said she was pleased to hear the playgrounds were getting a cash injection.

She said: "Playgrounds are a vital part of the town, they are part of our children's lives, which will help shape the town's future.

"Children develop social skills by playing with friends and they develop physical skills such as climbing when they use the equipment.

"Playgrounds will always be needed.

"The playgrounds at Towneley Park are fantastic, lots of people use them.

"Our group has just reopened the Balsam play area in the park. There was lots of children using it."

The council currently maintains 58 play areas, plus ball courts, youth shelters and skate parks.

Three quarters of the play areas are in very good or good condition, the council said.

Cllr Neil Mottershead said he disgusted at the plans to close Glamorgan Grove Park in Gannow.

He said: “I am appalled and disgusted with Burnley Council for choosing to earmark that playground for closure.

“That is another greenspace lost for children.

“It’s not fair for them because where can they go to play? There’s nowhere to go now.”

Cllr Sobia Malik, who represents Bank Hall, said: “It is sad some of the play areas would close, I wouldn’t want anything to be lost.

“Even the play areas with low usage are still used by people, but we need to look at the bigger picture.

“We have to do the best we can with what we have got.”

Cllr John Harbour, Burnley Council's executive member responsible for green spaces, said: "The council is committed to maintaining high quality play areas that provide a safe and fun place for children to enjoy.

"We have to balance that with limited resources and make sure we get the most out of our investment."

The plans, recommended for approval, will be discussed at the council's next executive meeting on Tuesday, July 4.

Within the report to the executive, Simon Goff, head of greenspaces and amenities at the council, said: "Outdoor play in parks and greenspaces is an important part of children’s play experience and provides an ideal opportunity for families to play together and for children to interact with others.

"It encourages mental and physical health and helps to tackle childhood obesity which is one of the most important health issues facing this country.

"There is evidence in Burnley that the provision of facilities for children and young people have helped to reduce problems of anti-social behaviour and conflict between local residents, park users and youths."