Park users have slammed Harrow Council over plans to remove park keepers.

Harrow Council has announced park keepers will be laid off in changes to park maintenance to be made in the spring.

Litter will be collected just once a week, grass will be cut every six weeks and scrub will only be cut back once a year.

Traci, who works as the park keeper in Pinner Memorial Park, is one of those who could lose her job - but angry park goers have now launched a petition against her removal.

A statement on the petition website said: “Her presence is a comfort to young and old, she is always happy in her work and takes real pride in what she does.

“As more flats are built in Pinner, the park will become more people's back garden – it is already the busiest park in the London Borough of Harrow, used by kids going to school, dog walkers, and those who want to grab some fresh air.

“Once Traci has been allowed to leave, and the park starts to deteriorate, we may never be able to get it back - so act now to make sure it survives for our children to enjoy.”

Around 750 people have signed the petition since its creation just over a week ago, while others have sprung up in relation to other parks and keepers.

Sarah Henderson, who lives in South Harrow and walks around Roxeth Recreation Park every day, says a huge number of people use the park - from dog walkers to tai chi groups.

She added: “Our park wardens keep our parks in amazing condition. Without them, we would have no green spaces to enjoy.

“Roxeth Recreation Park is a prime example of how one park was transformed by the daily attendance of a park keeper. His dedication and love for the park is testament in the Green Flag that it was awarded.

“Take these dedicated people out of our parks and the deterioration will be evident. Park keepers are the park’s heartbeat - ours keeps that park clean and pruned.

“Harrow Council is quite happy to spend money on an open gym and updating pavilions but then will take out the park keepers and the gym and pavilion will be vandalised. We have to keep them.”