Following Ms Lisa Kelly's letter regarding Avon Close Park (Your Letters, December 7), I feel very angry she has such blinkered vision and has no regard for the residents around this play area. She obviously doesn't realise the extent of the problems we have been facing and is only interested in how it will effect her and the children in her charge.

We have lived in this area for 30 years and seen the deterioration in the behaviour of children, which has affected the quality of our lives. It is an enclosed area, that is why it is an ideal hiding place for children who wish to play truant from school, drinking parties going until early morning and a sleepover until 7.30am.

There is glass on the grass, I have seen it after helping young girls clean it up from equipment etc. There has been faeces smeared on the swings and graffiti with bad language written over everything. I wouldn't want my children or grandchildren playing there.

The council did erect gates five years ago but these were seen as a challenge, the only thing it stopped was the odd motorbike and small children as the gates were sometimes not unlocked the following morning.

I object to the comment that the teenagers are bored. The majority of teenagers are well behaved and seem to occupy themselves in a more constructive way. Some of the children who cause problems are under ten, whose language and treatment of other children is very intimidating. There are plenty of things for teenagers to do in Malvern from drama groups, various sports clubs, youth clubs, rambling, swimming, computer centres, college courses, voluntary groups to name but a few.

We don't want to stop small children playing anywhere, so this is why we suggest the play area is relocated to a more suitable location.

In reply to the letter by Mr Bowden (Your Letters, December 14) about the same play area, I wonder if he is aware there is another play area not far away, on the same estate.

Mrs Amphlett, Guarlford Road Estate, Malvern.