WORRIED residents fear a new playground in the same secluded spot as the old one will reignite problems with antisocial youths.

Castle Point Council is carrying out a rolling £1.3million refurbishment of the borough's play areas, and the designs have now been selected for Woodside Park, in Thundersley.

However, people living near the site, which backs on to North Benfleet Hall Wood, are concerned the new equipment may be seen as a target for yobs who could damage the wood and surrounding area.

Graham Skinner, 58, of Woodside Avenue, said: "It will happen again because it happened before.

"It's down in the far corner of the park, where it is surrounded by trees, and everything they've put in there has been vandalised.

"We're upset with the council because we weren't informed about this. When I made enquiries I was promised a site meeting, but it never happened.

"It will act as a magnet for young people to go and smash their bottles and then they will go into the woods with the bottles and cause damage."

Residents are more in favour of two other spots for the play area, either on the old tennis courts or the grassy area next to the car park.

However, Peter Burch, councillor responsible for leisure and open spaces, said: "Children's play areas were identified as a priority for local residents, so the council has been working extremely hard to deliver on its playground renewal strategy.

"Children and parents were able to comment on the playground designs and the general locations were chosen to best meet the needs of the community.

"The exact site was carefully considered in each case. In the case of Woodside, Castle Point took note of concerns expressed by the wildlife group, but also had to weigh up the risks posed by other locations, caused by their proximity to the cricket pitches.

"The final decision on location was taken following a site visit by ward councillors."