by Thom Morris

tmorris@thekmgroup.co.uk

Residents living next to the Churchyard Passage by St Mary's church are hoping for silent nights after it was agreed to put a "bouncer" at the end of the alleyway.

It follows a meeting of worried residents with councillors, council officers, police and Kent County Council.

Residents who face anti-social behaviour on Friday and Saturday nights, including yobs urinating through their letterboxes, have been demanding action. Windows have also been smashed and doors are regularly kicked and hit.

At present it is unknown who will be given the task of asking party-goers to go along Bank Street instead of through the Churchyard. Council officials are discussing the idea with police.

Ashford council chief executive John Bunnett even offered to do the job if a suitable person could not be found.

Following on from a previous meeting of residents in March it was announced that two new streetlights would be put up in the alleyway at a cost of between £1,500 and £3,000.

Community safety manager David Lloyd said they would be put up "imminently".

The hour-and-a-half meeting ended with an agreement to pilot the idea with a follow-up meeting to be arranged with residents from the other side of the churchyard to gauge their views on whether they think the scheme is a good idea.