DESPAIRING mums say they will chain themselves to the slide or even lay in front of the bulldozers if a children's play area gets the axe.

Nearly 700 passionate residents have joined a Facebook campaign this week – in just four days – after hearing Riley Park in Marlow could lose its playground.

A petition has also been launched, attracting more than 200 names so far.

Olympic gold medal winning rower Greg Searle and singer Nick Heywood have even joined the campaign.

It follows a notice issued by the Riley Park Trust, which owns the grounds, saying Wycombe District Council would not renew its lease – and that the play area would be grassed over in June.

But council bosses have insisted the notice was misleading and that no decision on its future has been made.

Mother-of-three Laura Spence, 34, of Cambridge Road said fellow parents were “devastated”.

“It's a real centre of the community, it's used by all the children at St Peter's and Spinfield.

“When I saw the notice I just felt sick, I said I'm chaining myself to the side. I would do that to protect it.”

Facebook messages include vows to lay in front of bulldozers.

Mrs Spence said: “My garden is the size of a postage stamp, we need a big play area for the children.”

Higginson Park is too far, too crowded and not equipped for younger children, she added.

Olympian Greg Searle said: "I was dismayed to hear of the planned bulldozing of the play area at Riley Park.

"It is the only park in this part of the town and hugely popular with the residents of Marlow - as well as visitors to the town.

"My children have had many hours of fun on the play equipment and it would be such a shame to see it go."

Father Andy Carr, 29, said: “We have got four generations in my family who have played here.

“A lot of it is history, we don't want to lose this place.”

Yoga teacher Sarah Carter, of Oxford Road, regularly visits with daughters Sophie, 4, and Libby, two, who has Down's Syndrome.

She said: “It would change her life if this closes, we come here every day.”

Groundsman Simon Tickner, 44, said: “If it was, in the worse possible scenario, to be removed, it would be devastation. These mums are desperate to keep it here.”

Riley Park Trust chairman Tony Shannon said he was “appalled” and said taking on the play area too “would drive us into insolvency”.

The cost of a new playground could reach £50k.

Wycombe District Council spokesman Sue Robinson said it is discussing the play area's future with the trust.

“The play equipment at Riley Park is coming to the end of its life and will need replacement and refurbishment,” she said.

The decision to put up the closure notice was taken by the trust, not WDC, and was “premature”, she said.

Council leader cllr Lesley Clarke will meet the trust on Friday.

It extended its lease three years ago and told the trust the play area would not fall within its 'Play Strategy' for longer term future investment in play equipment WDC is “confident” of progress and “keen to work” with trustees, she added.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A NEW mayor will be sworn in at Marlow Town Council's annual parish meeting on Tuesday night.

Current incumbent cllr Neil Marshall is expected to pass the baton after two years in the role.

Riley Park playground campaigners have urged residents to attend to enforce their message to the council. It takes place at the town council offices in the General Higginson Room, Court Garden, Pound Lane, from 6.30pm.