RESIDENTS were disgusted after ruling Tory councillors voted to sell-off playing fields across Basildon.

More than 170 residents watched a heated emergency full council meeting at the Towngate Theatre, St Martins Square.

Councillors debated a motion put forward by the opposition Labour group, which called on the ruling Tory administration to drop plans to sell playing fields off Pound Lane, Laindon, Kent View Road, Vange, and Felmores, Pitsea to fund the new £38 million Sporting Village, in Gloucester Park, Basildon.

The Conservatives made the most of their overwhelming majority to ensure Labour lost the vote, which means the land sale will in all likeliehood go ahead.

Phil Rackley, deputy leader of the Labour group, said: “It is grossly unfair that residents in areas already robbed of green space are being asked to pay for it through the loss of more open space.”

Tory council leader Tony Ball said: "We are elected to make difficult decisions.

"Sometimes you have to look at what is good for the whole borough."

Residents repeatedly booed councillors during the debate and shouted abuse at the Conservatives after the vote.

David Sumner, 41, from Kent View Road, said: "I can't believe how smug they were. My daughter plays in our field every day with her friends. It's disgusting."