fencing and an electronic gate were among the measures to combat anti-social behaviour in Victoria Park unveiled at a meeting on Wednesday (July 31).

Town clerk Shirley Young and the council's operations manager Richard Chapman took a group of town councillors, residents, police and users round the park to explain the plans.

Mr Chapman described how a fence of up to 8ft tall could be erected to screen the park, sound barrier fencing put up around the skate park and an electronic gate installed to stop unauthorised cars.

"The main problem we seem to have is we've got an open gate access allowing cars, bikes and anything else into this area," he said.

Residents whose properties back on to the park have been lobbying for changes since its layout was re-designed two years ago. They say their lives have been blighted by noise from skateboarders, car engines and stereos, as well as intimidating behaviour and vandalism.

Mr Chapman said the new perimeter fence would be solid, difficult to climb and could be painted in "invisible" green paint that would prevent it spoiling householders' views.

However, Martin Cale, of Park Close Residents' Association, said the measures did not go far enough and that they would still seek legal advice with a view to forcing the council to move the skate park and hard-standing play area.

Perimeter fencing elsewhere in the park, including the area that used to house the grandstand, was also mentioned by the officers, as were recommendations for changes by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

The council pledged to spend £40,000 on improving facilities and preventing problems in the park at the inaugural meeting of its environment and leisure committee on July 15.

The issues have also drawn the attention of MP Sir Michael Spicer, who will meet residents on Monday, August 19.