DERELICT land used by children to play could become classed as surplus as part of a land review, councillors fear.

Hyndburn Council is preparing a 'Green Spaces Strategy', reviewing the borough's open spaces.

One part of the report will look at which areas can be sold to raise funds for the council, which has spent the last year battling huge debt problems.

Now opposition Labour councillors are demanding to know if the borough's parks and play areas are safe from proposed council cuts.

Today Tory council leader Peter Britcliffe promised the council would always supply somewhere for children to play.

But Labour leader Coun Jean Battle said: "We are just firing a shot across their bow before they start the strategy.

"One of our concerns is are they going to look at parks? We have quite a number of parks in the borough and I know they can't maintain them all.

"Open spaces may be playing areas and such-like that aren't attached to schools. These could be areas they will target to see if they're profitable.

"We need to debate this before they start implementing schemes. The council is so strapped for cash at the moment anything is possible."

There are fears that selling off some land could force children to play football on the streets, an issue which can put residents into conflict with police who refuse to move them on unless they are causing an obstruction.

Coun Battle said: "We want to create a safe environment where children can play. Spare pieces of ground are ideal."

Maurice Cowell, former Oswaldtwistle councillor and chair of the Hyndburn police and community forum, said: "If you're taking away green spaces you're forcing children on to the streets and endangering their lives.

"Green spaces are for kids to play to their hearts content."

The aim of the strategy is to provide the council with information to make decisions on open spaces in the borough and the level of maintenance needed. Part of the strategy will look at where the borough lacks spaces and where it has a surplus.

After going nearly £2million into the red last year, the council is trying to prevent another debt of almost £500,000 this year.

Coun Britcliffe said: "The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has asked all councils to look at the spaces they have. It's not possible to form a view until we have had the consultation.

"I am always anxious there should be places for children to play."