Swale council has closed the slide at a new £50,000 play area after parents labelled it a “death trap.”

Cllr Andy Booth requested the temporary action which came less than a week after the castle, at Beachfields in Sheerness, was opened.

It follows a spate of reported injuries, including bumps, bruises and a cracked tooth.

Parent Charlie Jackson launched a petition to make councillors “alter this extremely hazardous play area” and this week had hundreds of signatures.

She said: “There were more than 200 comments on Facebook, the majority describing how children had been injured.

“This £50,000 investment has funded nothing but a death-trap.”

A council spokesman insisted the structure met safety standards and said it was designed as an “exhilarating” play item for older children.

The work was completed last Monday ahead of schedule and just in time for the half-term holiday.

But mum Taylor Sage said: “Both my boys were hurt on the tunnel slide. It chucked them off and both hurt their heads.”

Jorden McMullen said: “My four-year-old said it hurt going down that slide” and Jemma Knight said: “My son has a hairline crack on his front tooth after going on this the second day it opened! Worst thing is, it’s one of his adult teeth.”

Denise Costello added: “My two girls were hurt as well and wouldn’t go back on it.”

The six-metre tall slide replaced a 33-year-old metal pirate galleon and features a climbing net, two slides, treasure chest, sliding pole and wide easy-access stairs.

On Monday this week the bottom of the slide was blocked off with a giant wooden box.

A Swale council spokesman said it had been closed after “significant comments” on Facebook and officers were working with manufacturer Kompan about a “long-term” solution.

The rest of the play area remains open.

He insisted the structure met “all appropriate” British and European Standards and that the post-installation inspection passed the tube slide with no issues.

Earlier he had said: “The tube slide is designed to be a fast and exhilarating play item for older children.”

Swale Cllr Andy Booth said: “I requested the new playground equipment at Beachfields be partially and temporarily closed because there have been a few complaints that children have hurt themselves using the tube slide.

“Its a serious amount of money and Sheppey really does need this kind of investment, especially in its children’s play areas.”

But he added: “I’m bitterly disappointed that some users of this equipment chose to voice their concerns via social media before addressing the allegations directly with the Borough Council.” To sign Charlie Jackson's petition visit https://bit.ly/2VnKzmt