Worried mums on a new housing estate fear their children could turn to crime because there's nowhere for them to play.

Unhappy - mum Vanessa Jentry, with son Benjamin, is dismayed at the lack of play facilities for children in Hakewill Road, Colchester. Also pictured are Vicky Stoward with Dylan Lee, Stephen Smith, Jordan Brooke, Jamie Woodham and Paul Totley Picture: NIGEL BROWN (40469-1)

Residents claim there are no facilities for scores of families moving into homes next to Colchester's Northern Approach road. The nearest play area is in Mill Road.

Parents are now calling for somewhere closer for youngsters to play.

Residents' spokesman Michelle Wheatcroft, of Hakewill Way, said: "The houses have gardens but the flats where the single mums are put have nothing.

"Most people in this area have got children under five but they've got nowhere to play so they are climbing in the bins and playing on the roads with bricks and pieces of wood and glass.

"All boys want to do at that age is run around but there's no play area for them."

A Colchester Council spokesman said the estate had "pockets" of open space but not the ten per cent normally found on large developments because of the country park deal.

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Published Friday, January 14, 2005

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