The ramps at the Fulney Avenue play area had been fenced off and declared unsafe three weeks ago and they were removed two weeks ago.

Council neighbourhood services manager Glen Chapman said the authority will be working with residents and partner groups to look into providing a suitable replacement.

Coun Stephen Williams, of Spalding St Paul's ward, said he thinks there is a need for a skatepark to remain in the play area.

He added: "I think it is invaluable. Anything which helps young people nowadays keep active and interested is of value and it keeps youths' time gainfully employed.

"We need something that is going to be safe and looked after."

The ramps had just been painted as part of a project run by Groundwork Lincolnshire to restore some pride in the Royce Road estate.

A group of children were adding the finishing touches to the colourful ramp designs with artist James Mayle when council workers came to close it off.

Groundwork senior development officer Gemma Rainsforth said: "It was a bit disappointing but I think because of health and safety issues it is not something that could be helped.

"Obviously it would have been great if it could have been looked at a long time before it was painted.

"That's a lesson that should be learned by all the parties concerned."

She hopes to arrange a meeting at the end of this month to discuss the future for the Fulney Avenue play area.

She said: "We will have a meeting with residents about where we go from here and what young people would like to see happen with regards to the play area.

"Hopefully we can move forward and get something even better.

"We have still got the designs that the young people did and we would definitely like to book the artist we used before and do some follow up work."