Ref. 29372-11RESIDENTS in a Penhill cul-de-sac don't need to travel to Avebury to gaze at a stone formation they can simply look out of their windows.

About 30 boulders have been mounted on the grass verge in Wilcot Avenue to stop motorists churning up the ground.

But residents claim the rocks which were laid on Tuesday make the area look ridiculous and want them removed.

Lorry driver Lee Sellens, 48, who has lived in Wilcot Avenue for 18 years, said: "They're monstrous and are really over the top.

"It's looks like Avebury and I half expect to see groups of tourists taking photographs of them."

Instead of the stones, householders want the council to widen the road and install posts to protect the verges.

Mr Sellens added: "The road is very narrow and motorists are always driving on the verge to get round parked cars.

"The council should either widen the road or lay an area of hardcore on the verge."

His wife Elaine, 43, is also angry.

She said: "I hate them, they have ruined a nice green area which we all enjoy."

Swindon Council says residents were told the stones were being laid.

It says no negative comments were received after letters were sent out.

But mother-of-five Vicky Boyson, 53, also of Wilcot Avenue, said: "We got a letter saying measures were being taken to protect the grass but weren't told exactly how.

"Then we had another letter saying residents had agreed with the plans but they still didn't say exactly what was intended. I think it looks terrible."

Swindon Council spokesman Gavin Calthrop said the boulders were an inexpensive and effective way to stop drivers mounting the kerb.

He said: "Vehicles driving on the verges in this area have caused problems and the grass has become churned up, muddy and unsightly.

"There has also been a problem with cars being abandoned."

He added that the council may be able to plant foliage to make the rocks look better.

Coun Andy Harrison (Lab, Penhill) said the stones will look less unsightly once they have weathered.

He said: "They have also been used in the Pinehurst circle and near the Seven Fields nature reserve and once they weather they look fine."

Tamash Lal