The Daily Mail has accused the Labour government of breaking its 1997 manifesto promise to protect school playing fields, saying that ministers have approved the sale of 203 pitches in the 12 years Labour has been in power.

The newspaper said that in the years since London was chosen to host the Olympics, the government has sold off 49 school sports fields.

Margaret Morrissey of the Parents Outloud campaign group said: "Despite all the government's wonderful words on this issue, it seems that when we get to the truth, playing fields are still being removed.

"One of the excuses we often hear is that an area of AstroTurf is being built instead. But it just isn't the same thing. Children do not run around in the same way and play on a sterile service.

"Ministers are very keen to be seen playing cricket and football and running around gyms with schoolchildren. But when there are playing fields disappearing, they're nowhere to be seen."

However, Dawn Primarolo, minister for children and young people, said: "School sport has never been as well funded. We have ended the scandal of local authorities being forced to sell playing fields simply to pay for essential repairs, which saw more than 10,000 playing fields sold off between 1979 and 1997.

"The government will not sign off any sale of surplus playing fields unless it is an absolute last resort and no sale goes ahead unless the proceeds are invested in school sports or educational facilities."