Children have been forced to find a new playground after their swings and slides were taken away.

The children's play area in Victoria Park, Portslade, has been closed due to unsafe equipment and residents have been told the council plans to concrete the area.

Pensioner Beryl Arlotte 70 and of Locks Hill, said: "There has been a children's play area in the park for years.

"It is absolute madness to get rid of it, it is such a popular site."

Martin Chorley, who recently moved into a house opposite the park with his family, said he was told by the council the children's activities would probably not be replaced.

A recreational facility for youngsters, such as a basketball hoop, may be installed instead.

Mr Chorley said: "This is meant to be a ground for all ages to enjoy. It is a shame the area set aside especially for young children has disappeared."

Mr Chorley, who has a four-year-old daughter, said he rang Brighton and Hove City Council and was told there was only enough money for a handful of children's parks in the city.

The nearest play area for children is Vale Road Park. To get there children and parents would have to walk through a subway, which is vandalised and dark.

Mrs Arlotte said: "It is quite creepy in the subway and certainly not safe enough for children to walk through alone."

A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council said the playground equipment had been removed because it was unsafe and the site would be resurfaced next week.

But there was no guarantee it would be replaced and the park would have to compete for funds with other sites in the city.

She said: "All playgrounds are routinely inspected to ensure safety. At Victoria recreation ground, where the equipment was installed more than ten years ago, the inspection revealed considerable wear.

"Safety is our prime concern when inspecting playgrounds and unfortunately this equipment had to be removed."