AMMANFORD children are getting into trouble because they do not have a safe area to play.

This is the claim of two teenagers who have organised a petition to encourage Gwalia Housing and Carmarthenshire Council to build a park in the Parc Pen Rhiw housing estate.

Cassandra Hooper, aged 13, and Kirsty Dean, 12, both of Parc Pen Rhiw, Betws, have taken over the petition that was started by Rosie Ely, 12, last year.

Cassandra said: "We do have a green but it is not a very safe to play in because there is no fence around it to stop the ball going into the road.

"And now we can't play ball games because the council has put up signs stopping it.

"If there is not a place for us to play in what are we going to do with our spare time?"

The girls aim to get as many signatures from residents as they can and then hand over a petition to the authority.

Cassandra has found a piece of land that she believes issuitable for a park.

Cassandra and Kirsty are also concerned that the tots do not have a park with swings and slides to play in, the nearest park is in Treforest.

"The younger children in the area do not have anywhere to play in.

"If their parents want to take them to a safe park they have to go out of the area."

Cassandra's mother Leslie Downy told the Guardian: "Cassandra and Kirsty are showing initiative.

"There is nothing for the kids to do in this area so they get up to mischief, they are bored.

"They can not even take the ball out for a kick around because signs have been put telling them that they can't," she added.

"I hope the girls stick to what they believe in until the council stand up and take notice."

Carmarthenshire Council have been liaising with Gwalia Housing Association to try to provide the estate with adequate recreational facilities.

The county's Head of Recreation and Sport Colin James said: "Carmarthenshire Council always respond positively to new developments in the area and try to encourage the developer to enter into a scheme which provides recreational facilities.

He added: "We have been liaising with Gwalia to discuss the plans for a proposed park."