Attendants who were removed from a park after they were threatened have returned.

Brighton and Hove City Council and Sussex Police made the decision to allow the two attendants to patrol The Level, in Brighton, again yesterday.

A joint statement from Chief inspector Steve Barry and Pat Foster, the council's assistant director of environmental services, said: "The park attendants covering The Level will be reintroduced with immediate effect.

"Police Community Support Officers will be working closely with the attendants in the short term with a view to tackling the antisocial behaviour that has been prevalent in the area in recent weeks.

"Directed patrols including police dogs will also be paying close attention to ensure the problem does not recur. The Level is an area where people should be able to enjoy the best of what Brighton and Hove has to offer."

The two attendants were taken off duty last week after fears for their safety were raised. Parents said the park had become a dumping ground and was littered with needles and beer cans.

Father-of-two Michael Keeley was unsure whether he would let his sons Damian, 16, and Samuel, 12, visit the skatepark on their own.

On hearing the attendants had been allowed to return he said: "It is wonderful news. We will have park attendants back and they will have the back-up of the police whihc will be very welcome."