Elgar Avenue children are desperate for somewhere to play, according to parents.

Elgar Housing has told tenants and parents that their children must not play ball games in their gardens or in front of their houses, after receiving regular complaints about stray balls going into neighbouring gardens.

The children have also been told not to play in a car park behind the houses due to safety concerns.

There is a playground nearby with equipment chosen by local youngsters and a playing field with a youth shelter, but parents say these are not suitable for younger children.

Sharron Preece, mother of Jordan, 10 and Alex, 11, said: "There's a park, but it's right by an alley and anyone could come down there. It's not a place you would want to go.

"The older kids try to nick their balls and the little ones can't go there anyway as there's nothing for them to go on."

Claire Zeal, mother of Ellie, two, and Danielle, eight, said: "We've all had letters from Elgar saying they can't play ball games, but the kids have done no damage, so I can't see why."

Sue Heelas, head of housing at Elgar, said: "It's not a new problem. You've got young children who, we understand, want to be outside playing and then there's older people who don't want a nuisance.

"We have got a responsibility with the older people as well as the younger children and although we sympathise, it's about wanting people to be aware of each other and what they are doing."

Mrs Heelas said that she felt the association had provided adequate play facilities and so would not be inclined to find another area for the children to play.