ANGER turned to action at a meeting between residents and councillors to discuss the future of a town's play park.

Families have been frustrated in the week after Dalton's Storey Square park was dismantled in budget cuts by Barrow Borough Council, with those who live nearby making themselves heard on social media.

But at a meeting held at Dalton Community Centre, advocates made progress towards re-instating the park after a "productive" discussion.

One concerned parent, Jenny Laverty, who set up the "Bring Back Storey Square Park" Facebook group, said: "This was a very positive meeting.

"We have accepted we are not going to get the park back.

"I am happy that we have had a productive meeting and found a way forward."

Neighbours came forward to form the seven-strong committee of a residents' association, which will search for funding to buy and maintain new play equipment for the park.

Miss Laverty said: "If we are going to save it we are going to do it well and it we hope it will be even better than before."

One of the options to resurrect the park was for Dalton Town Council to pay for its maintenance and insurance for a year.

But that was ruled out by Councillor Ann Thurlow, who represents Dalton on the town and borough council, after she said buying equipment would be too costly and could only be funded by people in Dalton paying 50 per cent more of their council tax precept.

The meeting was organised by Shaun Blezard, the member for Dalton South on Barrow council.

He said: "When we make decisions we have to front up to them like we have done tonight.

"Now it is up to councillors to step back and for residents go forward themselves."

The borough council has assured residents the land will kept as a green space and not be built on.

More talks between the town council and residents will take place at the next council meeting at Dalton's town hall in Station Road on Monday at 7pm.