THERE are many sad faces in Enniskillen this week as children as young as four years old ache for the return of an iconic slide removed by Fermanagh District Council for health and safety reasons.

The slide in the Council-run playground on the Sligo Road, opposite Rossole Guest House, was part of the childhood of so many in Enniskillen for over a quarter of a century. But now it is no more after it was decided that it was a danger to children. At the playground on Monday were children crying out for the return of their slide – literally.

11-year-old Casey Johnston described the much-loved slide as “really fun”. “I would come here loads of times,” she said. “Everybody used to be on it”.

The schoolgirl said she was “disappointed” when she realised it had been taken away.

An upset Lilia Coalter told The Impartial Reporter that she is now “really, really sad”.

The four-year-old recalled: “One day me and Alex and Zach came here and we slid down the slide”.

Jake Swindle was also in a reflective mood this week recalling his weekly visits to the playground.

“When I was with my daddy here me and my brother (Ollie) would slide down it,” he said.

Asked what he wants to happen next, the four-year-old replied: “I want to play with these guys on the slide”. Five-year-old Louis Johnston said: “I feel really sad, I want the slide really back”.

Charlie Lynn “really loved” visiting the playground with his mum Emma and brother Jamie.

“I would come here to play. I came here for three years, and here’s what my face was like when I heard the slide was gone,” he said, demonstrating a gloomy expression. “I was so sad”.

The six-year-old (“I’ll be seven in September”) added: “I want the slide to be back”.

And, the slide, which has its own Facebook page, was also loved by Charlie’s little brother Jamie.

“I played with Charlie on the slide,” said the four-year-old. “I’d slide down it and land on the grass”. “No, I didn’t hurt myself,” he added, though he did admit to getting upset when it was taken away.

“I cried. I was dreaming about it when I was sleeping, about the slide, I was dreaming about the slide. I was on it when I was dreaming. Then I woke up and it was gone. I felt sad,” he said.

Asked how he would feel if the slide was reinstated, Jamie said: “I would be happy”.

A spokeswoman for Fermanagh District Council has confirmed that the slide was removed “due to safety concerns” following a recommendation from consultants.

She added: “All Council play areas are subject to internal daily and formal monthly safety checks. In addition Fermanagh District Council also enlists the services of a specialist Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents qualified, consultancy firm to inspect play areas on an annual basis.” The spokeswoman explained that a report was taken to the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee in September 2013 and the recommendation to remove the slide was ratified by the Council in October 2013.