“KIDS can’t play” on “one of the nicest beaches in the country” as play equipment in Sandbanks remains closed.

Cllr Vikki Slade said a play scrutiny meeting is scheduled later this month and said she planned to question BCP Council’s management of play equipment in the area.

It comes after the crazy golf at Sandbanks was brought in-house and changes would be made to the course while the council also waited for parts to arrive from Germany to repair the cone climber in the park.

Former council leader Cllr Slade said: “With the golf, I have huge doubts about what their plans are.

“I was given some figures of £10,000 to £20,000 maintenance that needed to be done, I have not seen anybody share anything that’s being done.

“With the play equipment, the fact the council don’t have a play group or thought about how to replace it needs to be addressed.

“If you had managed it properly and it failed you should be able to replace it, there’s a lot of questions that need to be answered.

“Why would you buy a piece of kit which to repair would cost half the annual budget?

“It is one of the nicest beaches in the country and your kids can’t play there.”

Cllr Mohan Iyengar, portfolio holder for tourism and active health, said: “Sandbanks Mini Golf was open for customers throughout the Easter holidays and the May bank holiday and will continue to be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

“We‘re aiming to carry out further improvements in between these days. We hope to have the improvements completed by the beginning of June when we look forward to opening seven days a week throughout the busy summer season.

“It’s a well-loved activity for residents and visitors and we’re glad to protect its future.

“In terms of the play area which is closed off, we are progressing on repairs to three pieces of equipment, one of which is a specialist repair, and we aim to have it open as soon as we can.”

As reported, it was not clear if the cost of the mini golf would be increased once the improvements were made.

Cllr Slade also questioned why wooden, still equipment wasn’t installed at the park to prevent sand from causing damage.