RESIDENTS living near a village playing field are calling for action to stop youths making their lives a misery with bad behaviour.

Their complaints reached a head with six 999 calls to police on one night last month when a woman was struck in the eye by a plum thrown from the playing field.

Residents living in Bearcroft Close, Mickleton, say eggs have been thrown at homes near the junior playing field, a sign near the school had been smashed and balls kicked against fences and into gardens, damaging pots and plants.

They told a public meeting in the village last Thursday that youths had been seen urinating, drinking and even having sex in the playing fields. Others complained of foul language if they complained.

The meeting was called by Mickleton Parish Council after it received several letters of complaint from residents.

Council chairman Cheryl Spencer said: "They had a bad night there on July 21 and I think they have had problems before. There has been a bit of vandalism and under-age drinking and generally making a nuisance of themselves, throwing things over the fence and that kind of thing."

Police were at last week's meeting and Sgt Mike Bundy said officers had visited the homes of several youngsters to warn them.

He said officers had found empty beer cans and bottles on the field but no evidence of people sniffing aerosols.

Now a new working group of police, councillors, playing field trustees and residents has been set up to propose solutions.

Councillor Spencer said: "At our next parish council meeting we would look at putting in lights and making it an alcohol-free zone and then wait until we see what else comes out of this other meeting."

Ideas put forward including planting a thorn hedge to screen the field from gardens, moving seats in the field and setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme for Bearcroft. Sgt Bundy also urged more villagers to sign up as special constables.