MANY play areas across Wiltshire are now open but Chippenham Town Council has decided it is not safe to open its 13 outdoor areas.

A spokesman said: “We want to be able to open play areas but we must put our residents’ safety first. Taking this new guidance into consideration, it is not safe to for us to manage our 13 areas across Chippenham with our current resources. We would be required to employ an additional 13 members of staff.”

But its multi use games areas at John Coles Park, Pewsham Park, Little Battens and Monkton Park opened on June 29 for football and basketball. Two seating areas in John Coles Park have been removed to prevent groups gathering.

Tennis courts and public toilets at John Coles are open and the refreshment kiosk is open for take aways. The splash pad will not open this summer.

In Devizes all town council run play areas are open. Tennis is available in Hillworth Park and the skate ramp at Green Lane can now be used. Park toilets are also open and the cafe is doing take-aways.