The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) publishes an "urban myth busting" report today arguing that the belief that modern safety regulations have made playgrounds more boring is a misconception.

Needlessly cautious and incorrect interpretations of safety guidelines have led some local authorities to remove equipment which might have needed no more than modification, or to fail to install the latest climbing frames and other structures, the study says.

In fact, Mr Wheway states in his study, there is no European or British legislation covering playground equipment: only a European standard (BS EN 1176) which is merely advisory and is in any case more permissive in matters such as equipment heights than the old British standard.

While the standard contains useful advice and "should not be wilfully ignored", challenging items such as spacenets (conical net climbing frames) and maypole swings do not comply with its restrictions and still pass risk assessments and are regularly accepted for use by reputable inspectors, Mr Wheway said.

While some councils are bold in their choice of playground equipment, many are needlessly cautious, he concludes. "Local authorities are not giving children the opportunities for excitement and challenge that they want because of a misunderstanding.

"I have seen tens of thousands of pounds wasted on good equipment being taken out because it had minor failures meeting the standard. There is often an attitude [within councils] of 'We can't do that' when in fact there is a lot that can be done to provide excitement, without of course wanting to cause injury."

Other myths busted in the study include the notion that parents want super-safe equipment for their children. According to the report, this is "a fundamental misunderstanding of the consultations": parents want somewhere for their children to play that is "socially safe" and where they can keep an eye on them.

Parents are also more reluctant than previously to let their children walk alone to playgrounds because of traffic dangers. Both children and parents say their local playgrounds are not exciting enough and ask for more challenging equipment, according to consultations conducted for councils and housing trusts.

Another claim challenged in the study is the idea that safety surfacing, which is mainly designed to reduce the severity of head injuries, has made playgrounds less exciting for children. Softer materials are welcomed by parents and may encourage children to be more daring as they believe they can fall safely, the report says.

Mr Wheway said adventurous new-style playground equipment included the maypole swings, army assault course-style scramble nets and inclined Dutch discs, "a big flat roundabout which frightens the life out of you when you get on it".

Some equipment used by previous generations has rightly been phased out on safety grounds, the study says.

It cites the "witch's hat" - a conical swing balanced on a central pole which oscillates unpredictably, and the plank swing: a "lethal" chunk of wood designed for several children at once which could cause serious injury if it hit a child.

The Local Government Association, which represents local authorities, said yesterday it did not have a national policy on playgrounds. James Kempton, vice-chairman of the children and young people board of the association, said: "Play areas are an essential element in the promotion of children's health and wellbeing as well as supporting their right to play. Councils endeavour to provide high quality and safe areas ensuring all children get the chance to play and have fun."

A bit of risk does no harm, say parents

"I think too much play equipment is boring and safe and uninspiring," says Arlene Adair, watching her daughter Maisie, six, playing in the splash pool in Victoria park, east London.

Too often facilities are aimed only at younger children, says Ms Adair, a mother of four and park veteran. A bit of risk does children no harm, she believes, recalling how her son Johnny fell from the top of a climbing frame "and lived to tell the tale - he talks about it still".

The playground, one of two in the Tower Hamlets park, offers mini-climbing frames and swings alongside the paddling pool, but also four scary-looking slides positioned down a steep bank and an aerial runway to appeal to older youngsters.

The activities do not feel unduly limited by safety rules, whether misinterpreted or otherwise, according to Christine Hevey, whose daughter Megan, seven, is whizzing down the runway clutching firmly on to the support wire.

But Susie Anderson, whose son Zack, 10, is sliding and splashing away tirelessly, suggests that "something more adventurous", perhaps along the lines of adventure playgrounds, is needed for older youngsters.