PLANS to create a games area for young people in a trouble-hit park have been rejected by residents.

South Green Community Association is trying to come up with solutions to anti-social problems in Langham Park, Billericay.

The group devised proposals for a fenced-in sports court where youngsters could play tennis, basketball and five-a-side football.

The plans were sent out to 300 families who live nearby - yet only 40 responded with 25 rejecting the idea. At the latest association meeting, youth development officer Matthew Ebdon told of his disappointment.

He said: "I was frustrated the games area wasn't talked about more. I think people needed to hear more about the proposal as there were obviously some misconceptions and unfounded fears about the plans.

"But some of the problems the games area was designed to address - giving youngsters more than just a car park to play football, and giving them a recognised value and status in the community - won't go away, and will have to be revisited at some point.

"It is only a small park, but it is well used, and therefore as a community we need to be looking to improve it for everybody, including young people who are under represented in public life." For years residents have complained about late night nuisance, vandalism and youngsters kicking footballs against houses.

They fear a games area is likely to attract even more troublesome young people to the area.

It seems youngsters are not the only problem, one elderly lady added: "It's not the teenagers, but the 18 to 25-year-olds who spend their days sitting on walls, signing on, drinking and smoking dope."

Residents also suggested better gates to stop youngsters with motorbikes getting in the park. The meeting was also attended by the Wickford and Billericay Insp Sue Heaton, sgt John DeVries and Basildon council officer Adrian Richards.

He said: "This meeting is a good first step on the way to looking at all the overall problems. But it needs everybody, not just the police, to deal with the problems."