MP John Cryer has described the lack of children's play facilities in Wanstead Park as "ridiculous".

About 25 families gathered in the park on Friday to discuss the issue with the Leyton and Wanstead MP.

Parents say they have to walk 45 minutes into Wanstead every day to use the nearest facilities in Christchurch Green.

Parents have been campaign for play facilities in Aldersbrook, but no agreement has been reached on any of the proposed sites owned by City of London Corporation.

Mr Cryer said: “It is ridiculous that there is no facility for young people in this big park, there has historically been a shortage of facilities for people living in Aldersbrook.

“It is great people are coming together to call for a playground because there are a lot of children around here and Aldersbrook Primary School is just next door so demand is ever growing.”

Leader of Redbridge's Labour council, Cllr Jas Atwal, agreed at the council's local forum in Wanstead Library last week that the area was in need of a play facility, and was looking to rectify the situation.

Jo Blackman, 35, of Aldersbrook Road, is leading the campaign for Aldersbrook Playground Association, which has launched a petition signed by 100 people.

The mother-of-two said: “The demographic of the area has really changed in the last decade and there are so many young families here calling for much needed facilities.

"There is a consultation at the moment about the future of Wanstead Park and play facilities are very low down the agenda, we need as many people as possible to respond and help us push it up to a priority.

“With Waltham Forest spending nearly £3m on playgrounds in the last three years, and natural play equipment just installed at Hollow Ponds, I want to see more support from Redbridge council.” 

The petition can be found here.