Parents are demanding the return of two attendants to a park.

The pair were moved from The Level in Brighton after fears were raised about their safety.

However, neighbours say the area is littered with needles and is becoming a haven for drug addicts and alcoholics.

Brighton and Hove City Council made the decision to temporarily remove the two attendants after one was threatened on Friday.

A decision on whether they should be allowed to return will be made this week.

A council spokeswoman said: "We do not want to describe the nature of the threats but we are taking them extremely seriously.

"The public safety team is meeting with the police to decide how best to deal with this situation and ensure the safety of the attendants and park users."

She said it was possible two attendants might patrol the park together or a police officer could be brought in.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "We take matters like these extremely seriously and we will be working with the attendants to find the best solution to this problem and ensure their safety."

Parents say without the attendants the park would be too dangerous a place for their children to play.

Father-of-two Michael Keeley, 43, of Cowley Drive, Brighton, is unsure if he would let his sons, aged 16 and 12, go to the park on their own.

Mr Keeley, a voluntary youth worker, said: "Whenever there are problems they know they can rely on the attendants.

"My children use the skate park and so do most of their friends.

"The attendants are trained first-aiders so if something happens they can deal with it until an ambulance arrives.

"There are junkies and crackheads who gather at The Level and this will encourage it. Without the attendants it will go downhill."

Derek and Christine Ford, who have run The Kiosk caf for 30 years, have put up signs urging parents to contact the council.

Mrs Ford, 58, said: "The attendants are lovely. They come in and we make them a cup of team - all they wanted was a bit of support.

"If they feel threatened, the council should employ more attendants so they can patrol together.

"I grew up using this park and so did my son and grandchildren.

"Now I don't know whether I want them to come here. If it isn't safe for the attendants it's not safe for children."