A MOTHER has refuted claims her son and his friends are antisocial footballing yobs.

Pitsea residents in Moretons, Broomfields Place, and Broom-fields Court, complained last month about youngsters playing football on a green outside their homes.

But Julie Brown, 37, of Broomfield Place, whose ten-year-old son often plays on the green, insisted the youngsters were not causing trouble.

She said: "They called it antisocial behaviour, but it's ridiculous to call my son antisocial, just for playing football.

"I want him to play on the green out front where I can keep an eye on him, not at some park round the corner.

"It's only people from a couple of houses who keep kicking up a fuss. There are about 50 houses surrounding the green and no-one else complains."

Basildon Council put a No Ball Games sign on the green years ago, but police and the council say the instruction cannot be enforced.

Residents have complained to the Pitsea neighbourhood policing team and Basildon Council's antisocial behaviour officers many times over the past three years.

One resident who asked not to be identified, complained of teenagers kicking balls at residents' windows and fences.

He claimed the youngsters were making his life a misery.

Sgt Gavin Brook, from Pitsea neighbourhood policing team, said his officers knew about the dispute and had visited the green several times to try to mediate between the boys, their parents and residents.

Ray McKay, spokesman for Basildon Council, said: "Community wardens and police have been down to investigate and will continue to monitor the situation."