CONCERNED residents are petitioning against plans for a school sports pitch just yards from their back gardens.

People living next to Whinfield Junior School, in Darlington, have voiced fears that the pitch will attract trouble from youths gathering there.

They also object to any floodlighting.

But Darlington Borough Council is calling on the protestors to attend a consultation meeting later this month to learn more about the development, which is aimed at benefiting the whole community.

The multi-use games area is one of ten planned for schools across the borough, making use of £1.1m from the New Opportunities Fund.

A council spokesman said plans were still in the early stages, although extensive consultation had already taken place between planning and school officials.

"These proposed pitches will be used for different activities by both the school and the local community," he said.

"The Whinfield one is specifically for games of mini-tennis, basketball and netball."

But people have contributed to a 40-signature petition saying they feel the games area will be intrusive.

One protestor, who lives on Cloverdale, said: "We get a lot of yobs gathering on the field as it is. The new one is just going to attract more undesirables."

The 52-year-old, who wished to remain anonymous, said the development was a concern among elderly people.

Despite people's concerns, however, there was a poor turn out at a recent public meeting to discuss the development.

A second meeting is planned for Wednesday, June 16, between 4pm and 6.30pm, at the school, and the council is urging people to attend.

Letters are being sent to addresses in Cloverdale, Augusta Close and part of Jesmond Road. Notices will also be put up in the Asda supermarket, doctors' surgeries and chemists.

A council spokesman said: "It is important that people go along to the meeting to look at the designs and talk to planners, architects and school officials to get their questions answered."

No one at the school was available for comment yesterday.