RESIDENTS have won a battle to stop children playing football in the street and in communal areas - now they want to stop them from kicking a ball in their own gardens and drives.

Neighbours in Jessop Forge, Little Lever, are aiming to blowing the whistle on the youngsters and have set up a new residents' association to make their point.

Children were recently banned from playing football in communal areas and in the road.

But Manchester Methodist Housing Association, which owns the houses, has ruled that children can play in their own gardens and drives.

However, residents say balls are causing damage to gardens Yvonne Laidlaw, spokesman for the newly formed Jessop Forge Residents' Association, said: "We feel that this decision to allow children to play on their drives is encouraging anti-social behaviour. I have had a gnome broken in my garden and I'm worried that cars will get damaged by footballs which fly over."

Angela Bell, aged 44, a member of the residents' association, said: "During the six weeks' holiday last year, there was a problem with footballs coming into the garden.

"They didn't do any damage but the children would come to retrieve the ball and leave the gate open. I'm worried my dogs would get out."

But the protests over the football games have sparked a split in the street - with other residents claiming there is no problem and that children should be allowed to play.

Michaela Thomas said: "There are a lot of children who live in this street. Where are they supposed to play?

"We need to keep an eye on them and, on a warm day, they should be allowed to play."

A spokesman for Manchester Methodist Housing Association said: "After discussions with residents, we recently put up a no ball games' sign relating to the communal areas, including the road.

"But children are welcome to play in their own gardens and on their drives.

"This is a family housing scheme and children need to be allowed to play outside.

"We are not aware of any problems or nuisance being caused by youngsters on their own properties, or of any damage. If residents want to talk to us about this directly, we are more than happy to step in and take action, if it is needed."