Housing officials are being urged to play ball with residents in Addingham who want an area for children to play.

Earlier this year officials put up a local authority sign banning ball games near garages in Ayholme Drive after workmen replaced a broken garage door.

They claimed that the garage doors and gutters were at risk of being damaged by footballs used by the children.

But the residents of Aynholme Drive, Aynholme Close and Bolton Road say the children were not responsible for any damage.

The resident who rents the garage which had a damaged door, Eileen Furbank, said the door was not damaged by footballs and says she has no objection to the children playing there.

"I have no problem whatsoever if they play ball games there," said Mrs Furbank.

Mother-of-three Carol Parker, of Bolton Road, has also disputed claims by housing officials that children had damaged guttering by climbing on the garages to retrieve their ball.

But housing officials are refusing to reconsider the decision. A spokesman for Ilkley's housing office said: "We have put up the sign to prevent damage to the garages and we are asking parents to ensure their children use the play area or other open spaces in the village."

Parish Councillors have agreed to write again to the housing department asking for a change of heart.

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