Harold Hill's new teenage village has been defended against claims that it has already become an under-age drinking den for abusive louts.

The purpose built village, which has three shelters, tennis courts and an all weather football pitch, was opened in Central Park last week to give youngsters somewhere to hang out without disturbing residents.

But according to one businessman, speaking from the audience at the Harold Hill Community Area Forum last week, the site is already causing problems.

He claimed: "All they are doing is staying out late at night, getting drunk and patrolling around the estate.

"My staff have been abused every night of the week. They just do what they like - all sorts of damage. It's a waste of time."

But Gooshays Cllr Bill Harrison, who is also chairman of the council's children and life long learning committee, defended the scheme: "I agree there can be problems but when it comes down to it we are trying to provide something for young people,'' he said.

"Young people need facilities. This forum constantly hears complaints that young people have done this, young people have done that.

''But every time facilities are provided for young people there is this NIMBY response - not in my back yard.

"There has to be some meeting of minds, some tolerance."

Sgt Mick Adamson, from Harold Hill Police Station, who was one of the leading lights behind the scheme, agreed.

He said: "It is the culture of young people to meet on the street.

''If you accept that they are going to meet anyway, the idea is to find them a designated area for them to meet and that is how the village idea grew.

"It would appear that it is actually being used quite successfully in Central Park, but if offences are being committed that is something we will want to look at."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.