Emergency work has been carried out to repair part of a climbing frame in North Tawton’s Memorial Park, which collapsed a week after it was inspected.

A horizontal bar supporting the balance bridge on the multiplay structure failed last month.

Specialist playground equipment company TK Play has now completed remedial work by removing the damaged section and patching up the salvageable parts.

Councillors heard at the last meeting (September 1) that the equipment may have broken after an adult climbed on it. However, a member of the public has questioned whether rotten timber had contributed to the bar’s collapse, but the council has not confirmed whether this was the cause.

Separately, councillors have approved a quotation of £800 plus VAT (£960) to repair the swing hoops and replace the complete set of balance bridge suspension ropes and anchor fittings, with stainless-steel chain and hardware.

Cllr Steve Whiteley explained that the metal eye fittings attached to the ropes were made of steel which had corroded badly due to water ingress and suggested replacing the whole set would be cheaper than replacing the individual damaged parts as they were “all going to go eventually.”

Councillors unanimously approved the quotation.