Work has started on ripping up a play area on the Stanhope estate.

Children looked on as the area was fenced off and work got under way on Tuesday.

Residents in Bredgar Close are happy with red bricks being laid to replace the paving slabs, but say they will carry out a peaceful protest if Ashford council and developers carry out plans to turn it into a car park.

The work is part of a £200million regeneration scheme of the Ashford estate which started in March, 2007.

A group of Stanhope residents spent last week gathering signatures on a petition to stop the children’s play area being lost.

But Ashford council says the area is destined to become a parking area as part of improvement plans for the estate approved in 2006.