AN angry mum is taking legal advice after her four-year-old son needed stitches when a gate at a council-owned playground struck his head.

Leisure bosses have agreed to replace the spring-loaded gate after little Declan Mawman was playing with his brother Dominic, two and their dad, Thomas Hamill, at Knuzden recreation ground when the accident happened.

Declan had left the play area, but as he ran back in, the gate swung back and knocked him off his feet.

Horrified mum Julie Mawman, who was watching from a car as she looked after baby boy Nathan, ran to Declan's aid along with his dad.

Declan was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary where doctors decided he needed a general anaesthetic as he was too upset to stay still while they stitched his wound.

Julie, of Hastings Close, Blackburn, said: "The gash on Declan's head was down to the bone. He wasn't unconscious, but it was bleeding heavily. "He was crying and wouldn't sit still for the doctors so they took him into theatre and gave him an anaesthetic. He had nine stitches. He's had them out now, but we know other people whose kids have been hurt by the gate.

"I'm pleased to hear the council is taking the gate off at last. But I've got an appointment with my solicitor next week and I'm thinking about seeking compensation."

The gate was locked last summer just weeks after the new play area was unveiled, following a spate of complaints from parents who said their children had been hurt.

Nathan Gosling, of Knuzden, who was five at the time, was left with a nasty black eye when it swung back, hitting him in the face and knocking him off his feet.

Jessica Poulton, of Shadsworth, Blackburn, who was six, also suffered a nasty cut on her forehead when the gate swung back at her.

Matthew Barker, six, also of Shadsworth, suffered a cut eyebrow when the gate went into his face. Matthew's sister Aimee-Jane, five, was also caught out as the gate bruised her eye. Inspectors from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) confirmed last year the gate had been installed correctly and was in a "good condition."

But it also advised town hall bosses to put up signs telling parents of the risks to children at the playground.

A Hyndburn Council spokesman said: "We're very sorry that young Declan was injured, but the gates are there for the best possible motives - to stop dogs gaining access and fouling the play area.

"Spring-loaded gates are used because too many people simply don't bother closing traditional gates behind them, allowing dogs to get in. This type of gate has also been approved by ROSPA. However, the gate at Knuzden will be removed and replaced with a dog grid while we measure whether this is a more effective way of preventing the fouling of play areas."

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