A petition has been launched to save a football league for boys and girls aged seven to 13 and to keep it free.

Raynes Park Little leagues have played their football free on Sir Joseph Hood Memorial playing fields for more than fifty years but now they could have to fork out in excess of £4,000 a year.

Earlier this year Merton Council handed the maintenance of the park to private company Idverde, which is proposing the charge.

Mum and Lib Dem council candidate Hina Bokhari, who set up the petition, said: “I believe in ‘parent power’ as a mother of two young children, I want my kids to have access to free organised physical activities in their local parks.

“When I heard from my friends that Little League might not be free anymore because of proposed charges by Idverde for pitch use, I was shocked.

“I had to make a stand, Little League has been using Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields for free for 50 years and any child of any ability can enter the league.”

She added: “Parents are finding it harder and harder to find free activities like this.

“I really hope Labour council bosses keep their promise to keep Little Leagues in Merton free.”

Merton Council's cabinet member for community and culture Cllr Nick Draper said: “I am very proud that Merton is the only borough in London that does not charge Little Leagues to use our pitches and that council taxpayers covered the cost of this for many years.

“However significant government cuts now mean that Ideverde has taken on the management of Merton’s green spaces and they are in discussions with the Little Leagues about future arrangements.

“We will be watching these discussions closely so that any charges are affordable and sustainable for the Little Leagues and they continue to thrive.”

See the petition at mertonlibdems.org.uk/keep_little_league_free