WEYMOUTH mothers fear they face eviction because their children have been accused of anti-social behaviour.

Magna Housing bosses have warned parents on the College Heights estate that youngsters could be put on good behaviour contracts, which lead to Anti-Social Behaviour Orders if breached.

They have received complaints about balls kicked against walls and cars, children playing football in communal areas of the road, verbal abuse and noise late at night.

But speaking to the Echo on behalf of a group of mums, mother-of-five Stephanie Boneham, of Minton Place, said it was a case of mistaken identity.

She said: "It is a group of other children giving ours a bad name - we don't let ours out after 8pm any more.

"Magna has threatened us with eviction and our children with ASBO contracts when the community police have no complaints.

"The neighbours say the kids are running riot but they are not vandalising or harming anyone - all they are doing is playing ball and tag.

"They are not allowed to bounce balls or play football anywhere on the estate, but they are too old to use the playground.

"So why can't they have their own facilities, like a fenced-off area to play in?

"I have had a bucket of water and eggs thrown at my door, but I don't go out threatening and swearing like other parents.

"It's all got too petty and out-of-hand."

Stephanie, a taxi-driver, added: "We have asked Magna which children are alleged to have done what at which time, but they don't seem to know and nobody replies when I write to them.

"We are so angry, but our hands are tied."

A spokesman for Magna Housing said: "Tenants have had the opportunity to discuss the matter further with their housing officer.

"We are aware that there is a lack of facilities for older children on the estate.

"The tenants' panel covering Weymouth had hoped to fund an area for ball games from a community initiatives budget.

"Unfortunately, the land in question is due to be passed back to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

"Some tenants have requested an informal meeting, which we will be attending to consider a way forward.

"We appreciate that to some these matters may seem to be minor, however the number of complaints that we have received has been such that we needed to take some action.

"We don't want to stop children being children, but everyone has a right to live peacefully in their own home and our approach to anti-social behaviour tries to safeguard this for our tenants."