COUNCILLORS have delighted a group of residents in Rainham by deciding to close down a play area haunted by gangs of youths.

After a seven-year battle to get the trouble-torn recreation ground relocated, the residents have said a big thank you to Medway Today newspaper which has supported them.

The Old Orchard has acted as a magnet for yobs who have used it for a vile reign of sex, drugs, alcohol and foul language.

Now Medway Council's cabinet has listened to the plight of the hundreds who live next to the ground near Solomon Road and voted to shut it down.

The teenagers had been accused of "carrying out very anti-social activities," by Cllr Les Wicks, the member responsible for leisure activities. He added that it was far too close to neighbouring homes.

Another of his colleagues, Cllr Jane Chitty, said: "It has probably reached the point of no return. There is also an over-riding safety issue. It should close."

But while the councillors agreed to its closure, they warned that the youths would probably move on to another site in Rainham. Cllr Pat Wozencroft said she had been with seven-year-olds in Rainham earlier in the day. When she asked them why teenagers vandalise areas, she was told: "Cos they are all bored."

Campaigner Lesley Moore, who was at the meeting, said she was "over the moon," and added: "We stepped up our fight from last September and when they refused closure earlier this last year we were determined not to take it lying down.

"But we could not have done it without Medway Today who ran some brilliant stories for us. A big thank you."

The cabinet has decided that a replacement play area should be built nearby at the earliest opportunity.