A MUM of a girl with severe learning disabilities has raised concerns after a distressing visit to a Prestatyn play area.

Kathryn Elsmore took her daughter Cerys, 13, to a disability play session at the Nova on Thursday, January 2.

Cerys has a severe learning disability, autism and is non verbal.

Kathryn rang the Nova to see if there were any issues to be told there were none. But on arrival they found the rope bridge to be ‘out of order’.

The bridge looked inviting to Cerys who sat on the ‘out of order’ bridge; she chewed the yellow sign and tore off the white piece of paper.

“We had phoned ahead first and I was not told of any problems,” said Kathryn formerly of Prestatyn.

“When we arrived, the gate was broken and tied open. There was food all over the floor and the tables were covered in dirty plates.

“We paid for our two children including my daughter.

“I had real trouble trying to get her out of the bridge area. I shouted out ‘this isn’t safe’ to a staff member and she rang through to a manager. By the time they got there, I had got my daughter out. They apologised and we left halfway through.

“I don’t see how they could justify having it open. The area does have regular inspections and attracts younger children, but we should have known of any problems beforehand.”

Kathryn, who now lives in Broughton, added: “I do not think the play centre should even have been open. They had been busy that day and with the Christmas holidays, but everyone should have been told on arrival, before being charged, that part of the frame was unsafe.”

A Denbighshire County Council spokesman said: “As a busy play structure, it’s not uncommon for parts of the structure to need repair. Safety is our number one priority and at no time were members of the public put at any risk.

"Our play structure is externally inspected annually and always scores highly. We are currently waiting for a date for contractors to attend the site and make the necessary repairs following the Christmas period. We pride ourselves on providing customers with the best possible service and environment during their visits.

“We constantly review and re-enforce cleaning and housekeeping with our teams, particularly during busy periods, to ensure we maintain consistently high standards at all times.”