CONCERNED Kingswinford residents have called a public meeting in an attempt to try and secure the future of Cot Lane Park.

They fear the park could be in danger of falling into rack and ruin after Dudley borough council confirmed they would stop maintaining the area.

The park was blighted recently when travellers camped on the site which left the council with a clean-up bill of thousands of pounds.

But now the authority has declared there is no funding to repair play equipment and mow the grass.

Residents have rallied round to form a Friends Group of Cot Lane Park.

They will be holding a meeting at The Glynne School next Wednesday November 9 at 7pm and are calling on as many people as possible to come and support them.

Friends Group supporter, Michelle Hand said : "We're looking to raise money and awareness to maintain the park. It's a lovely open area right opposite Glynne School and many of the children and parents use it.

"When the travellers came it was dreadful and we weren't allowed to use the park at all.

"After they left, the mess was awful and it cut into the council budget to clean it up, which they didn't have.

"Ideally we'd like to raise enough money to erect a fence and prevent the travellers from coming back on it "But money is also needed to repair items in the park.

"There are two football pitches which are used by boys teams every week.

"There's also items in the play area that need attention. The slide is currently broken and the council have said there isn't any money to repair it.

"We're hoping that some local companies might come forward and help us to fund the park."

Dudley UKIP leader Paul Brothwood added: "Forming a 'Friends Group' is the right way to go because it enables them to apply for various funding and grants.

"But I believe there are other areas where the council should be looking to make cuts first, including supplying councillors with IT equipment and broadband.

"There's still plenty of fat at the council where savings could be made."