Thorpe playing field is turning into an "illicit drinkers' paradise" and something needs to be done.

That is the angry call from Thorpe parish councillors, who say a warden or caretaker is desperately needed to keep the area in check.

A meeting of Thorpe Parish Council heard the playing field was under "constant attack" by vandals, and now parish councillor Peter Cannons said it is time to stop it.

Last month, Mr Cannons made a plea for the council to employ someone to protect the much-valued amenity.

An advert in the parish magazine to employ someone to manage the area and make sure it is clean and safe yielded no applicants for the paid job.

He said: "It seems to be an illicit drinkers' paradise. I have found empty beer cans there. They seem to sit there and drink their beers and set light to the tables.

"It seems to be an out-of-the-way attractive area for them and it's ruining it for local users."

Council chairman Brian Healey said: "We have tried to instill it into the police that there is a problem, but they don't seem to listen."

Published Wednesday August 11, 2004

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