Nene Wetlands play equipment at Rushden Lakes to be removed for safety reasons

People who walk around the lake at Rushden Lakes will recognise the eye-catching play equipment which is popular with younger visitors, such as the heron nest platform.

But The Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants has said it is with a ‘heavy heart’ that they have decided to remove some elements of the play equipment in the Nene Wetlands Discovery Play Area at the retail and leisure complex.

The removal of these pieces is set to start this week.

A message posted on the trust’s Facebook page says: "We apologise in advance for any upset or inconvenience this may cause.

"We know that many of our younger visitors have spent lots of happy hours enjoying the wonderful play sculptures over the last seven years.

"Unfortunately, the equipment is now starting to show its age and a combination of factors mean that it is no longer possible to safely maintain some elements.

"We will therefore be removing the heron nest platform and some climbing sections of the spider.

"We will continue to maintain the rest of the equipment for as long as it is safely possible to do so, so that families can carrying on enjoying this lovely area.

"We'd like to thank you in advance for your understanding.”

And a spokesman for The Wildlife Trust BCN told this newspaper: “We are having to remove certain sections of the equipment which are no longer safe.

"As a mainly wooden structure it has a natural life span.

"We are always looking at the facilities on the reserve and how we engage visitors and help families discover and learn about the natural world.

"We will soon see the arrival of beavers to Delta Pit and there will information panels and a viewing platform to help people follow the story.

"And we have a regular series of events at the Visitors Centre at Rushden Lakes.”

Anyone visiting the reserve can find out more and book ahead at www.wildlifebcn.org/events or pop into the centre to find out more.