KIDS can kick footballs about without disturbing residents on an Ipswich estate.That was the message today after Maidenhall estate dad Keith Riches criticised officials for banning his three children playing on grass outside his home.

KIDS can kick footballs about without disturbing residents on an Ipswich estate.

That was the message today after Maidenhall estate dad Keith Riches criticised officials for banning his three children playing on grass outside his home.

Graham Moore, chairman of Maidenhall Residents' Association, argued youngsters could play ball in Bourne Park and an area at the bottom of Conway Close.

He spoke out after some estate residents criticised youngsters who play ball outside their homes prompting the council to send a letter to Mr Riches and other parents.

"A lot of front gardens in Conway Close and other areas of Maidenhall Estate are very well cared for by tenants and homeowners and this requires a lot of hard work," said Mr Moore. "It enhances the environment we live in.

"It is no fun to see your flowers and shrubs knocked over by balls and trampled on by children retrieving them.

"It is also no joke to have balls hitting your front window."

"Windows can be very expensive to replace and the offending children's parents do not usually offer to pay for any damage.

He said the association had battled for a proper play area on the estate for several years with limited success.

They persuaded the council to convert two disused tennis courts into a floodlit area with netball and five-a-side football posts at the bottom of Conway Close. The play area is open daily until 9 pm and the entrance is along the lane leading to Halifax Road.

"If parents want to keep an eye on their children they could always go with them and even join in or supervise the games," said Mr Moore. He also suggested children could play in their own back gardens.

He added: "The residents association will continue to locate another more suitable play area for ball games, preferably with a grass surface."