An Eastenders legend is among those calling on a council to reopen a playing field which residents have used for more than 100 years.

John Altman, who played ‘Nasty’ Nick Cotton in the BBC soap, says he “treasures” the land in Beacon Road, Herne Bay, and that the green space should be preserved.

But the site, known locally as Kent Close, has been blocked off with an “ugly, spiky metal fence” by Canterbury City Council.

The land is privately owned by the local authority, which has no record of it ever being designated as a public open space.

Bosses say Kent Close, which was formerly home to the town’s hockey club, has been closed off due to anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

But Mr Altman, who is now the frontman of the band Heavy Metal Kids, says he has many fond childhood memories of time spent there and wants to see it reopened to the public.

“It is such a healthy thing to have in the area,” the 72-year-old said.

"There are no other open spaces like it in our area.

"There is something for everybody.

"To preserve that green space for generations to come would be the right thing to do.

"There are many wonderful possibilities for the space."

The original Eastenders cast member, who played Dot Cotton’s killer son, attended an egg hunt event at the site on Easter Monday with more than 150 people, which he says is evidence residents still use it.

They gained access through a private garden which neighbours Kent Close.

Kai Hoffman, a member of the Save the Beacon Road Community Land Committee, says the group has been sent images from as far back as 1912 showing people using it for sports events.

“It has always been in the community - even when the hockey and tennis club leased it,” the 47-year-old said.

“To be locked out has been quite traumatic for everyone locally as we are all used to using the area.”

She says the group is keen to regenerate the land with the help of charity Herne Bay in Bloom. Residents have pitched ideas including a playground, community orchard and allotments.

Mrs Hoffman added: “The only entrance into the grounds is blocked off by a 7ft, spiked metal fence. It is like living opposite a prison.

“It is not attractive and is upsetting because I have lovely memories of my kids going there to ride their bikes.”

The city council acquired the land as a playing field in 1938.

There are no proposals for development on the site within the authority’s existing or emerging Local Plan for new housing.

Since at least May 1994, the authority had leased it to Herne Bay Lawn and Tennis Club and Herne Bay Hockey Club. The clubs had exclusive possession of the whole site until 2020.

The council says its title deeds do not suggest the land was ever designated as public open space and it is now back in its possession.

But the authority says it is unsafe to access as it is in a state of disrepair. The gates were put up in May last year.

"Due to issues we have been experiencing with anti-social behaviour and vandalism, the decision was taken to try to restrict access to the site,” a city council spokesman said.

"Clearly, with access possible for residents whose properties back onto the site, we cannot completely prevent this from happening. However, we kindly ask those residents not to continue accessing the site.

"Despite some misconceptions, the site is not a public open space. It is private land and contains old derelict buildings, courts, fences and astroturf pitches, with no safety inspection regime or maintenance programme in place.”

He added that it is a “difficult piece of land to anything with” given its former use as a sports facility and having homes on all sides.

The spokesman said a meeting will be arranged with residents to explain the challenges and hear thoughts on future options for the site before any decisions are made.

“Not all land owned by local authorities gives the public automatic rights to access it, or for it to remain accessible to all,” he added.

“This would depend on factors such as its use and designation. In this case, there are no records to suggest a designation of public open space, especially as it had been disposed of many years previously by way of a lease to the club.”