Residents have launched a campaign against plans for a skate park on their Brighton estate.

People in Bevendean said a previous skateboard ramp attracted trouble-making youths and they feared another would cause similar problems.

At a meeting of the Bevendean Residents' Association, many argued for a more suitable site to be found.

They also called for Bevendean to be policed better before the scheme was launched.

Daphne Clare, of Taunton Road, which overlooks Farm Green, the site of the previous skate ramp, said the location was problem, not the idea of skateboard facilities.

She said: "We understand children need somewhere to play. The very young ones go to the park when they come out of school but then in the evening you get the most terrible noise from the park.

"We understand they need somewhere to go but we don't particularly want it on our doorstep. There are plenty of green areas."

Another resident, who did not want to be named but lives on Heath Hill Avenue near the site of the old skate ramp, said while it was there his family suffered verbal abuse from the youngsters.

He said it had attracted youngsters drinking, using drugs and causing noise.

He said: "We do not want to go back to what we had before. We have had enough of it. Before we do anything like that, bring the police in."

A committee of youngsters has been set up by Brighton and Hove City Council to draw up suggestions for the skate park.

Although not all residents are against the proposal, ward councillor Francis Tonks said everyone agreed it would not be a good idea to put it on Farm Green.

He said a more suitable location would be on the green in The Avenue where youngsters currently skateboard in the road.

He said a full skate park was not necessary but could include a strip with a ramp.

Coun Tonks said: "It is important to get the kids off the road because they are in danger. I hope it does go ahead but it has got to be treated fairly carefully."