Fine for playing street football

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Children in a Nottinghamshire town will be fined Â£100 for playing football on the street.

Newark and Sherwood District council is clamping down on young people causing "annoyance" to residents.

Council officials have singled out Highfield Road in Clipstone and The Brambles in Walesby as two areas where street games are causing a nuisance.

A council spokesperson said several residents had complained about the behaviour of some youngsters.

Lynn Pallett, anti-social behaviour co-ordinator for the district council, said: "I have received numerous complaints from residents who feel harassed and distressed by the behaviour of some youngsters playing ball games near their homes.

"Some residents feel abusive language, trespassing and damage to their gardens is a step too far and have asked for action to be taken.

"The council and the police will look to prosecute in extreme circumstances where warnings about future behaviour are ignored."

But one resident condemned the fine as being "crazy".

Barry Heath, of Highfield Road, a father of 10, grandfather of 21 and great-grandfather of 15, said: "Kids playing on the street don't bother me one iota. I am 77, and if I could, I would play on the street."

Margaret Gayson, another resident, said: "It seems ridiculous."

The council says it is responding to residents' complaints