CHILDREN have been locked out of a private park in an exclusive residential area in Christchurch after dozens of complaints about their behaviour - but the move has divided neighbours.

Some residents, many with children of their own, welcomed the closure, claiming the large groups of youngsters who frequented the park, in the centre of Regency Crescent, left litter, tore up flower beds and were loud and abusive.

But others said they were "outraged" by the park manager's decision to shut the open space, which is surrounded by iron railings, claiming the kids have a right to play there.

The situation became so inflammatory the police were called on several occasions.

Angela Morris, who has a 10-year-old son and has lived in the crescent for seven years, said: "It was every night and every weekend and it got to the point when we thought 'Thank God it's raining, the kids won't be out tonight'.

But one mother-of-three said: "The houses here are advertised as family homes, but then they chain up the gate. It's just hypocrisy."

Residents have to pay more than £200 a year for the maintenance of the park, which is intended for the exclusive use of people living in the crescent, who include young families, professionals and pensioners.

But some neighbours claim many of the children aged between eight and 14 came from outside the crescent and, as a result, had scant respect for it.

In response to more than 40 telephone complaints, Regency Park Christchurch Ltd, which manages the open space, wrote a letter to residents in August saying children under 16 would not be allowed into the park without the presence of an adult.

In a statement released yesterday the company, said: "Throughout the summer RPCL has received a large number of complaints about the use of the shared garden by unsupervised children and this has resulted in considerable wear and tear in this park.

"In late September, with children back at school and the evenings drawing in, it was decided to close the park to give the grass and shrubs a chance to recover. The park will remain closed throughout the winter."

One resident claimed the problems started in May but that peace has returned since the gates were shut this week.

First published: September 23