A mother has slammed organisers of a gay festival for leaving a "sea" of broken glass in a park where children play.

Pride in Brighton and Hove was held in Preston Park and attracted about 35,000 gay and lesbian people on Saturday.

Christine Edwards was walking in the park yesterday morning with her four-year-old son, Kye, when she noticed dozens of broken bottles in the grass.

She said: "It is disgraceful, there is a sea of glass in the grass and bags of rubbish everywhere.

"There were other people just standing around in the park not believing the amount of mess."

Mrs Edwards, a 34-year-old housewife from Tivoli Crescent, Hove, added: "My son or my dog can't run around because it is too dangerous and if people aren't careful there could be accidents."

David Shilson, of Waldegrave Road, Brighton, said his two grandsons were due to play in an organised football event but couldn't because of the mess.

He said: "The ground is covered in glass, paper and bottle tops and the match couldn't even get started.

"We went down to the park at 9.45am and tried to clear a pitch for the children to play on but there was too much rubbish."

A Brighton and Hove Council spokesman said organisers of the event have 48 hours after it finished to clear the area.

PJ Aldred, chair of Pride in Brighton and Hove, said: "The residents have been very, very tolerant over our use of the park and we appreciate it.

"We have got a whole team of people working to clean up the park and it is taking a bit longer than expected because more people came than we thought.

"They are doing a superb job and cleaning some parts by hand and it should be finished by today."

Mrs Edwards added: "There is a children's day in the park today and if people aren't careful there will be accidents."

Mr Shilson said: "My grandsons have got a soccer school and can't even get started where they normally play because it's ankle deep in rubbish."

Ms Aldred said: "We want to thank everybody involved, it was such a team effort and so many people worked so hard for nothing.

"The council and police were superb and we are hoping to donate thousands of pounds to charity from the day's events."