THERE may be one famous football pitch in the Ewood area of Blackburn, but there are none for youngsters to play on, locals have claimed.

Residents in Heys Lane, Tiverton Drive, and Arkright Fold have launched a petition calling on the council to turn land in Fernhurst Street into a grassed area.

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Local woman Sally Entwistle said there had been several concerns about kids kicking a ball around in the streets.

The 41-year-old said: “This has been going on for quite some time.

“We live on Tiverton Drive, a family-orientated small estate with lots of children.

“The police have been around several times telling the children to be careful.

“Inevitably, there will be accidents.

“We have experienced our car window being smashed.

“Our 13-year-old son, Adam, has football nets and all the kiddies congregate outside our house.”

The housewife continued: “At the moment, it just seems a no-win situation.

“Respecting the neighbours is foremost, but just seems totally unfair on the abundance of children around here.

“We have had to inform the kids they cannot play football or congregate outside our house at all.

“I just feel sorry for all the children around here. Many areas have playgrounds and grass to play football on.

“It seems the council provide these services for the council-run estates.”

Ewood councillor Maureen Bateson said: “I’m more than happy to meet with the residents in this area, and meet up with neighbourhood officers and police.

“The area the residents are referring to, at the top of Fernhurst Street, will need to be looked at but there are some areas across the road that are green spaces .”