FAMILIES in Yeadon have been angered by an 'eyesore' metal fence which has stopped their youngsters playing on a neighbouring football field.

Residents of Victoria Terrace and neighbouring streets campaigned against the plan to put up the fence around the field - off Dam Lane - but were dismayed when Leeds City Council allowed it to go ahead.

Now they claim the fence is bigger and more unsightly than the specifications in the original plan, and claim their children have nowhere to play. They say local children have played for years on the field, but now youngsters are forced to play football in the streets, or wander out of their parents' view to the nearest park.

Victoria Terrace resident Karl Marshall, 43, said: "There were a lot of objections sent in, and it still got through. There was a site visit, but none of us was there as we didn't know they were coming."

Mr Marshall said when neighbours had applied for planning permission for house alterations, council officers had insisted on natural stone, and materials to blend in with the area. But he and other residents claim the football field fence stands above the height permitted in its planning permission, and has not been painted green to comply with planning conditions to blend in with the surroundings.

They have complained to council planning enforcement officers, but say little has been done.

Mr Marshall said he had researched the past ownership of the field, and that many residents believe the community of Yeadon was entitled to access.

However, Leeds City Council has said the field is privately owned by Ventus United Football Club and Ventus Yeadon.

A council spokeswoman said a second planning application had been submitted to the council regarding the height of the fence, and this had not yet been determined by planners.

She said: "The conditions of the planning application only require the fence to be painted when the work has been completed. There has been a slight delay due to the bad weather, however, painting is now due to start shortly."