Only 18 per cent of parks are in good condition according to the most comprehensive study of UK local authority parks.

The research conducted by the Policy Studies Institute finds that more than three-quarters of the population do not have access to good parks and open spaces because of 20 years of under-funding.

Spending on parks has decreased considerably since 1979/80 with the cumulative under-spend estimated at £1.3bn. Features and amenities most affected are bandstands, fountains and paddling pools with some 50-70 per cent being lost or destroyed.

The government-commissioned study found that parks in the UK's most deprived areas are getting worse, while good parks were getting better, indicating a polarisation of the problem.

Co-writer of the report, Steward Harding of the Countryside Agency and former head of the Urban Parks Programme, called for more action: Reversing this deep-seated trend requires clear leadership from government and decisive action local authorities.

The Heritage Lottery Fund's Urban Parks Programmes has attempted to reverse the trend and has provided capital funding for the restoration of 161 parks, spending an average of £1.4m per park between 1996 and 2000. The authors of the report however, estimate that £3.5bn would be needed to restore Britain's parks to their former glory.