FURIOUS residents gathered at a parish council meeting to vent their spleen at a proposed skate park on their doorsteps.

More than 100 people attended the Haydon Wick Parish Council meeting to take councillors to task about the planned games area at Haydonleigh Primary School.

Residents were spilling out of the parish council rooms in Thames Avenue on Tuesday night, as they voiced their concerns about the multi-sports facility during public question time.

Stephen Warren, 34, of Primrose Close, said: "This is a nice place to live. I don't want to live in a dirty place where children are not safe because of graffiti and drugs. How can we be sure the skate park won't end up a disgusting mess?"

Residents also called for the person responsible for dropping leaflets to come forward. The unsigned leaflets claim the multi-purpose area will become a haven for drug dealers and create noise and litter.

Coun David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick) received several of the leaflets, along with a note reading: "I hope your children are the first to be hooked on drugs."

Richard Hailstone, chairman of Haydon Wick Parish Council, has also received hate mail in connection with the play area. Control of the question time was passed on to his deputy, John Fuller, and the heated debate ensued.

Steve Slade, 50, of Mellow Ground, voiced his opposition to the scheme, backed by applause.

He said: "There will be noise and heaven knows what else. I think it is totally wrong."

The Haydonleigh project, costing £124,000, is a joint effort between the school and Haydon Wick Parish Council.

Planning permission has already been granted and it is hoped the facility, to include a kick-about area, basketball hoops and three pieces of skateboarding equipment, will be open by September.

Sited in the school grounds, it will open from 5pm until 9pm and remain locked at all other times.

Not everyone criticised the plans. Eric Smith, 41, of Cornflower Road, attended the meeting with his 16-year-old son, Alex, and pledged his support.

He said: "This is scare-mongering. Our youngsters deserve to be given a chance. My boy does not go to the toilet in the street or take drugs. If the park is built properly, it could be soundproof."

Teresa Rogers, 42, of Betony Close, has two sons, Ashley, five, and Haydn, three, and wants local children to have somewhere safe to play.

Simon Byrne, 15, was one of two teenagers to turn out and defend skateboarders.

He said: "We aren't hooligans and just want somewhere safe to practise. We don't deserve this bad reputation and aren't interested in drugs or alcohol."

Speaking after the meeting parish council chairman Mr Hailstone said he thought it was a positive discussion.

Victoria Tagg