A playground exclusively for pensioners has opened up in Manchester.

Designed to help tone those ageing bodies, build up strength and generally encourage fitness it is seemingly going down a storm.

The concept comes from something similar in Germany. It cost £15,000 to build and has the backing of national charity Age Concern.

My point? Encouraging people of any age to exercise is important but for pensioners it is vital to staying supple and healthy. So why oh why has Haringey Council decided to scrap free entry to its leisure centres for the over 65s?

What possible reason can there be to justify taking away this invaluable service to the borough’s pensioners? Apparently evidence has shown that only 14 per cent of households in Haringey with an annual income below £15,000 are doing the recommended thirty minutes exercise three times a week.

So now pricing is going to be based on what people can afford. Except for all the money (or lack of it) in the world, old people can’t afford to not exercise.

According to Help the Aged exercise in older people can help make the heart stronger, increase energy levels, muscle strength and bone density and reduce the risk of falls. It can even reduce stress.

It seems a shame that the council has inadvertently made the decision to invest in the healthy future of the younger generations at the expense of the older folk. Reducing the risks of disability or incapacity in pensioners is just as important as making sure the younger lot do their bit.

The point is, Haringey Council used to provide a fantastic service to the elderly, some of whom have lived in the borough and served the community for decades. And now it has taken that away. The council should be ashamed of itself.

Assuming that the decision is financially motivated perhaps the council should scrap this year’s Make A Difference grants offering residents the chance to do something innovative and positive in their neighbourhood and plough the £50,000 into building these playgrounds like the one in Manchester.

They might be cold in the winter months, but at least the council can’t start charging to use them. Can they?