South Croydon residents are facing another summer without a large part of their park because works to extract water have overrun by more than a year.

Thames Water has spent the past two years digging two new bore holes in the middle of South Croydon recreation ground by Purley Oaks train station, fencing off a large section to do so.

But, despite the council telling the Croydon Guardian last June the water company would be finished by November 2006, the park will not be returned to its former state for at least another six months.

A spokesman for Thames Water said: "We have had difficulties with the bore hole pump testing which has unfortunately lost us some time.

"However, we have now completed the installation of pipelines from the bore holes to the water works in Waddon, and are now expecting to be finished in the park by November. We are also working with Croydon Council to return the park to how it was."

This is not enough for the local residents though, who feel they have been unable to make full use of their park for too long now.

Mrs Irwin, who lives in Churchill Road, said: "There are two open wells, lots of dug grass and all the seats are filthy as they are never cleaned.

"I have twice had my foot cut by a sharp object going through my shoe."

Andrea Winder of Norman Avenue said: "It's a horrible eyesore. At first we thought it was only going to be six months but it has gone on for far too long now."

A council spokeswoman said: "The works affect one section of the park, the rest of it is still fully usable by the public and once the works are finished it will be returned to its former state."