Caretakers on Islington’s estates warned tenants to expect “chaos” after the council hit them with an overtime ban.

There were about 300 caretakers and assistants employed by Islington Council on its estates.

They claimed the overtime ban meant they would no longer be able to cover for absent colleagues on sick leave or holiday.

“These cuts will lead to unacceptable levels of cleanliness for the people of Islington,” one said.

They also predicted an increase in crime, vandalism and squatting.

Meanwhile, the council was also being slated by parents angry that a new £75,000 playground hadn’t opened.

Caretakers in Finsbury Park’s Six Acres Estate had left the padlock on the gates, with one parent suspecting they were using the playground as a “bargaining tool” in their overtime dispute.

Even worse, an Islington spokesman thought it had been open since the New Year.

He quickly added: “We are now going to investigate why it isn’t.”