AN awards scheme has been launched to encourage councils and other people who run playgrounds to take safety more seriously.

The announcement comes after a survey by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents revealed more than 30,000 children need hospital treatment after hurting themselves in play areas every year.

Their new scheme would issue play quality awards to individual playgrounds and councils that "demonstrate commitment to providing exciting, high-quality play facilities which include provision for disabled people."

David Yearly, RoSPA's safety manager, said: "Children need some risk in their play to help them learn to develop.

"But everything possible should still be done to ensure play areas are well managed and equipment is safe to use."