A girl who fell and injured her wrist after a swing seat snapped has been given £2,000 in compensation.

Britoni Wakeling, 11, from Basildon, was sitting on a seat connected to a zip wire at Markhams Chase recreation ground when it gave way.

She was sent plummeting six-feet to the floor, badly cuting her wrist and bruising the side of her head.

She needed stitches and was left with a scar following the incident in April last year.

Now Basildon Council has accepted liability for the accident and paid out the compensation.

Her dad Barry Wakeling, 42, says it was the right outcome.

He said: “One minute Britoni was playing on the swing, and the next moment she was on the ground with blood pouring from her wrist.

“She was pretty upset, and I’m just glad I was there to make sure she was OK.

“I’m glad the council has now made sure the playground is safe, but it shouldn’t have taken an accident to get them to take action.

“I’ve spoken personally to the head of health and safety at the council to seek his assurance this kind of thing won’t happen again.”

Basildon Council closed down the park following the incident. Further investigations found the authority had failed to carry out maintenance checks on the swing, so the dangerously worn seat was not identified.

The zip wire has now been completely replaced.

The compensation money will be kept in a court trust fund, which Britoni cannot access until she turns 18.

Emma Lead, from law firm Russell Jones & Walker, which represented the Wakeling family, said the case underlined how important it was for councils to ensure they maintain playground equipment properly.

She said: “The compensation awarded recognises the fact that, in addition to the initial pain, Britoni will be scarred for life.”

A council spokesman apologised for any distress the accident caused Britoni and her family.

He added: “The council has accepted liability and paid compensation accordingly. Play areas are checked weekly and damaged equipment is replaced or taken away as soon as possible.”