The charred remains of a wooden climbing frame set alight last year are still sitting in a play area 12 months on.

Residents who live near the Bulleid Place playground in Ashford say the torched equipment is an "eyesore" and can't understand why council bosses have failed to remove it.

Martin Bennett lives opposite the play area, known as the 'Asda Park', and says the damaged equipment is not safe.

"As I come out of my back gate it is right in front of me," he said.

"I can't think of any reason why it shouldn't have been sorted. To have been left for a year is just ridiculous.

"It's an eyesore and it is not safe for the children.

"The amount of times I have seen children trying to climb up over the fencing that is around it; it is an accident waiting to happen."

The 64-year-old claims no one from Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has assessed the site since it was torched a year ago.

"It was a huge blaze at the time and, as they upgraded the park before Covid, you'd think they would want to get it resolved quickly," he said.

"If they can't replace it for whatever reason then they need to remove the stuff which is there and take the fencing down at least."

Recently, ABC has been upgrading four play parks in the area as part of its £1.1m 'playground regeneration programme'.

But Mr Bennett says it is "absolutely horrendous" that the authority has left the damaged equipment in Bulleid Place.

"I don't see how there can be any excuse not to remove it at least," he said.

"It would take no more than a day's work to remove the damaged area and take the temporary fencing out - there's no reason at all for it to have not happened yet."

Last February, shocking footage at the time of the blaze showed huge flames which engulfed a climbing frame inside the play area.

Responding to Mr Bennett's concerns, a spokesperson for Ashford Borough Council said: "The play area contains a wide range of equipment unaffected by the fire for all age groups and abilities and is still well used by the community.

"We are taking steps to have the couple of affected items cleared away and the area cleaned up."