RESIDENTS in Bishopsmead have complained of loutish behaviour by teenagers using the estate's play park facility.

Tina Hurford, of the Bishopsmead play park project, says she hopes young people who use the facilities will respect the work which has been put in over the past 18 months to develop good play area facilities for them.

Mrs Hurford said: 'We are trying to build a play area with good facilities, and we don't want to see that spoiled by the actions of a small minority.

'We have put an awful lot of work into it. We've put lots of time and effort in.'

Mrs Hurford accepted there did seem to have been an upturn in complaints about the behaviour of some older youths in the play park recently. However, she felt the situation was likely to improve when the summer holidays were over and children returned to school.

She said the improved play area had been a big success. It had drawn a number of youngsters into the play area, not all of whom actually lived on the estate.

Bishopsmead resident Cllr Peter Donkin said problems of irresponsible behaviour were not just focused on the play park area, but had occurred on other parts of the estate.

Cllr Donkin said the problem of loutish behaviour by teenagers on the Bishopsmead estate was something people were keeping an eye on.

However, he said incidents were irregular rather than a major problem.

Cllr Donkin said the area was not solely for youngsters living on the estate.

'We are trying to get an area which can be used by the whole age range of residents,' said Cllr Donkin.

'We would like the area to be appreciated by everyone'.

He said this could include seats for older people to use, as well as more play facilities for very young children.

Tavistock Town Council has identified the area as a designated play area, and improvements to the facilities have included a basketball court.

The most recent addition to the play area was small mini goal posts put in around Easter to allow youngsters to play football.

The equipment for the play area was purchased by the play park group, but the facility is owned and maintained by the town council.

Deputy town clerk Rosie Kehoe said it would be unfortunate if the loutish behaviour of a minority spoiled the enjoyment of the play area for most of the youngsters living at Bishopsmead.

She said older teenagers needed to take responsibility for the area and their conduct towards nearby residents.

Earlier this year, nearby residents complained about the noise caused by the bouncing of a basketball at the court at Bishopsmead.

The town council introduced dense planting around the court to screen out some of the noise.