York council builds fence through goalposts Published duration 22 June 2011

image caption The council has apologised and asked its contractors to resolve the issue urgently

Council bosses have admitted scoring an "own goal" after a fence was built through the middle of football goalposts in a park in York.

The new fencing was installed at a cost of £6,000 on playing fields in Heworth.

It was erected before £37,000 worth of new play equipment is phased in at the park over the next few weeks.

Dave Meigh, City of York Council's head of parks and open spaces, said: "We recognise that the failure to relocate the goalposts is a real own goal."

'Too many chiefs'

It has left local people who use the park to play football confused.

Mr Meigh said the council had asked the contractors to "resolve the issue as a matter of urgency and can only apologise for the error".

Local residents said it was "unreal" and a "waste of money".

Jane Hannon wrote on the BBC Look North Facebook page: "Typical example of too many chiefs and not enough Indians, one doesn't know what the other is doing. What a waste of time and money."

The new play area will be for children aged eight to 13.