A war has broken out in Aldbourne over claims that the village football club has been taken over by townies from Swindon.

The parish council has heard villagers' claims that the club is being run as a commercial enterprise and roads near the ground are cluttered with players' and fans' cars.

But club secretary Janice Kuczynski has retorted that she and her family took over club as a favour and have been left holding the baby.

The parish council, which owns the pitch in Southward Lane, was told at its recent meeting that Aldbourne FC had been taken over by a Swindon family and run as a business.

Resident Keith Evill said: "The family/club now regularly rents the pitch to other clubs, for example, Swindon Town Ladies FC, apparently in order to provide free football for a Stratton club which is re-named the Aldbourne Football Club. This whole arrangement has been achieved very furtively and without permission from the parish council.

"It has seriously increased traffic movements and parking problems on adjoining roads. The club is holding matches throughout the year.

"It has basically become a town facility in a quiet rural village and has upset lots of residents, especially as it appears to have happened under the parish council's nose and without its knowledge."

But Janice Kuczynski was appalled that her family's good intentions had been interpreted in this way.

She said: "For many years I organised the youth sides at the County Ground and when I packed it in, Aldbourne asked if I would take it on.

"Then they seemed to fade from the scene and me, my husband and brother-in-law were left to get on with it. I admit there was a lot of games played during August, but once the season begins that won't happen so much. There are three teams based here and they are all local.

"The only visiting team is Swindon Town Ladies, but they have been playing at Aldbourne for six years. It is like taking on a house with a sitting tenant. Are we supposed to turf them out?

"Why everyone has a bee in their bonnets now I don't know. We insist that visitors don't park in the road. The cars parked in the street belong to residents."

A meeting between the Kuczynskis, residents and parish councillors last week, resolved nothing.

Mr Evill said: "They agreed to look at the parking issue, but nothing else was decided. They may call themselves Aldbourne Football Club, but the players all come from Swindon.

"We haven't heard the last of this."