It was National Play Day this week, in case you missed it. I didn't miss it, in fact I planned a whole day out in Manchester with my kids to celebrate the day aimed at promoting safe, inclusive spaces for children to play freely.

My sons, aged 9 and 5, were full of excitement about visiting the big city during the summer holidays, and so I planned a full route to show them some of the famous sights of Manchester, as well as places I knew they could have a play in the city centre .

Indeed, Manchester Council has been fully supporting the National Play Day with lots of signs encouraging kids to play in its parks around the city.

But I'm now filled with regret after choosing two of the locations to take my children to have a play in the city centre this week - after what I saw there.

See Full Page