A GRANDMOTHER has condemned one of Bolton's parks as "a danger and embarrassment to the town" and is calling on the Council to take action.

Kathleen Harmer, who lives in Lydbrook Close near the town's Queens Park, says the once proud green space has now gone into decline.

And she claims that the state of footpaths and a bridge that crosses a stream in the park are in a dangerous state of repair and could easily lead to an accident.

Mrs Harmer has used the park for nearly 30 years. She currently walks her Labrador dog, Holly, there daily.

But the pensioner, who suffers from brittle bone syndrome -- osteoporosis -- says she takes her health in her hands every time she steps foot in the park.

"It is an absolute disgrace," she said. "The place is filthy, it is strewn with litter and the paths are so full of slutch and muck that they are dangerously slippy.

"The bridge that crosses the stream is also in a bad state of repair and the stream below is full of cans, bottles and other litter.

"It is used by a lot of people, including a lot of elderly people and children going to and from Bolton School and it is an accident waiting to happen."

She added: "It's not just me who feels this way but other people in the area.

"The park is well used because it is the only place around here for people to go. It's not just because it is winter that it is so bad. It is like this all year round." Mrs Harmer says so far her complaints to the council have brought no action.

"Because of my condition I like to keep myself active," she said. "But if I slipped and fell while out in the park I dread to think what might happen."

Mrs Harmer added that the state of the park is a pale reflection of its former glory when she used to take her children to play there 20 years ago.

"There was a paddling pool and a play area and there used to be all sorts of activities. Now there is nothing," she said.

"It seems that the council have worked to improve other parks in the town but have ignored this one.

"I sometimes take my children on to it in the summer but with the state it's in, I don't like doing it. I think the council needs to improve the park or people are going to stop using it."

A council spokesman admitted the park was "looking sad" but added that no park looks its best in winter.

"The recent diabolical weather has affected outdoor working though we are continuing litter-picking to try to keep the area looking tidy and we will certainly look at the points Mrs Harmer has raised," the spokesman said.

"The brook and the immediate area around it are the responsibility of the Environment Agency and we can pass the comments on to them.

"In the longer term we are endeavouring to restore the park through a lottery grant but the project depends on whether funding can found."

But the council denied that there was no entertainment on offer in the park, pointing to this year's hugely successful Bolt pop festival and the Halle Orchestra's showcase Music of the Millennium as examples.

"We welcome the views of people who want to influence and become involved in the future of Queens Park," the spokesman added. "There is a Friends of Queens Park group and we have a good dialogue with them."

Anyone interested in becoming involved in the group should contact the council's Leisure Department on 01204 334076.