Ealing Council was fined £15,000 by the Health and Safety Executive after a 10-year-old was seriously injured in a West Ealing playground.

Ni Nortey, who was playing at Drayton Green Primary School in Drayton Grove on September 28 1998, suffered serious head injuries when hit on the head by an iron rainwater collection hopper falling off the wall. Ealing Council pleaded guilty to two charges of breaking health and safety regulations and of not properly maintaining equipment. In a statement, the council said it accepted the judgement and agreed safety must always be given priority.

'Immediately after the incident, additional inspection checks were made in all 93 of the council's schools and maintenance work carried out where necessary,' a spokeswoman said. The injured pupil is making good progress at the school.