Parents in Portslade are pushing for the final phase of a playground which has helped transform the lives of youngsters.

Children can play safely outside their homes thanks to the work of their residents' group.

People living at council-owned flats at Downland Court in Stonery Road complained about the lack of a playground for their youngsters.

After a ten-year campaign, they finally persuaded Brighton and Hove City Council to provide £25,000 to build a play area and provide swings and other equipment.

The first phase of the work was completed in August and a bid for a further £10,000 to finish it off has just gone in to the council.

Tina Urquhart, chairwoman of Downland Court Residents' Association, said: "The money will be used to pay for a scramble net, slide and safety matting.

"It will help to complete the play area which is something we have been trying to get here for ten years."

The residents' association kept up the pressure and the new unitary authority finally made the money for the first phase available from its estates development grant last year.

The brightly-coloured swings and play equipment were put up in a corner of the flats complex in August and were an instant hit.

Miss Urquhart said: "I have put in a request to the council for £10,000 to provide the slide and scramble nets to finish it off.

"The kids are always coming up to me to thank us for getting the park for them and it is always well used."

However, she admitted there had been a few teething problems with older youths gathering in the play area at night.

They were mainly teenagers who do not live at Downland Court and steps were being taken to discourage them, she said.

Janet Williamson, whose ground floor flat is next to the play area, said: "The younger kids are absolutely fine and, apart from the odd squabble, we have few problems.

"The older ones gather there at night and make a nuisance of themselves by drinking, swearing and making too much noise.

"Tina and the residents' association have done a wonderful job improving the environment and the atmosphere for the people who live here.

"I have been here for seven years and in that time Downland Court has improved considerably. It is much better now than it used to be."