Parents went on the march in a bid to halt the decline of their park and playground.

Residents staged their demonstration in Stoneham Park, Hove, yesterday to voice their concern at the removal of a climbing frame which no longer satisfies EU safety standards.

The protesters are angry the only piece of equipment for older children will not be replaced in what they see as a general decline of the area into a drug dealers' den.

Peter Byard, chairman of Stoneham Park Community Association, said: "There used to be a see-saw and rocket and they have all been removed one by one as they became dilapidated.

"We have been working very hard for it not to become an urban jungle environment and stop it becoming a bare mass of tarmac.

"But if you remove the equipment all you have is large number of bored kids who will look to mischief to fuel their boredom."

Mr Byard said parents were angry about the decline of the area after years of hard work had finally begun to rid the area of drug dealers and troublemakers.

"We have a constant battle in this area with drug dealing and if we don't get investment then all that good work is going to be undone."

He said although the association had set up a fund, Our Park Appeal, which had £6,000 in the kitty, it was only sufficient to fill in the gaps.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove Council said officers had met the association to discuss huge improvements to facilities in the park and helped them draw up a plan for £150,000 of improvements.

He said: "They know the council has little money and have agreed to raise cash themselves, a method which got the paddling pool at Hove lagoon built."

He said the park had had £45,000 spent on sports facilities in the last 18 months.