A MOTHER has spoken of her anger after children were ordered to stop playing ball games on a communal green due to concerns over antisocial behaviour.

South Essex Homes staff put up no ball games signs, claiming the children were acting antisocially by playing football on a green on the corner of Browning Avenue and Chestnut Grove, in Southend.

Clare Fletcher, 36, who lives with her husband Bill and two children opposite the green, said parents were in a difficult position because they want children to exercise, but there are too few spaces for them to go.

Mrs Fletcher said: "Children play happily on the green. You get children from six up to 14 years old playing together. They kick a ball about and have fun.

"It is quite safe. I feel I can let my son play there having a bit of independence and I can still keep an eye on them all from indoors.

"In schools they are taught about healthy eating, being active and getting fresh air, yet out of school it is discouraged."

Mrs Fletcher's children Hadrian, nine, and Freya, six, and their friends are upset they can no longer play football there.

She added: "I can't let them go to the park on their own because it is too far away and across some busy roads. So where are children expected to play?"

South Essex Homes, who run council housing areas on behalf of the council, say it often receives reports from residents who are "enduring antisocial behaviour committed by children who are playing football".

Traci Dixon, neighbourhood services manager, said: "Football in itself is not antisocial. However, when it involves constantly kicking a ball up against the walls and windows of adjoining houses this impacts hugely on the occupants.

"We fully support children actively playing supervised football and fund such activities. However, this has to be balanced against the overall enjoyment of the surrounding residents.