YOBBISH behaviour by Dawlish teenagers around a council-owned play area has forced a couple to consider their future in the town.

Tatyana and Rob Kershaw, of Third Avenue, have had their house on the market for more than a year but failed to sell it because of the problems.

Mrs Kershaw, born in Russia, said the Third Avenue play area was an eyesore that needed cleaning up as soon as possible.

Police and councillors say they are doing their best to improve the situation

But Mrs Kershaw was desperate for progress to be made.

She said: 'I wouldn't call it a play area, it's so run down. There is broken glass, litter and the equipment is out of date and doesn't work very well.

'It is only used by older children and teenagers who stay there late in to the night sometimes.

'It's not suitable for younger children.'

She added that her two children, Sasha, aged seven and Robert, three, had only ever used the play area twice.

She continued: 'I have called the police at times but when they turn up it seems like the children just ignore them. The police don't seem to be able to do anything.

'We've lived here eight years and we put our house up for sale 13 months ago. But so far we've not had an offer.

'We've had people come and look at the house but the estate agent said the play area puts them off making an offer.

'It is very depressing. My husband Rob is fed up too. We would just like the area tidied up.

'But the way it is makes me want to leave the town completely.'

Sgt John Shuttleworth, Teignbridge crime reduction and and partnership officer, stressed measures were being taken to tackle the matter.

He said: 'There are bad behaviour issues for some of the youths at Third Avenue.

'But we are working with the district authority and youth services to come up with solutions.

'There are discussions about re-designing the play area. A questionnaire will be circulated to local residents asking for their views.

'The community wardens patrol there and the local youth services team are involved trying to get the children on our side.

'But these things take time, which can be frustrating.

'I do have sympathy with Mr and Mrs Kershaw. It is a difficult situation for them.

'But there does need to be play provision for the local children.

'There are similar initiatives at Starcross and Kingsway (Teignmouth).

'We are working on trying to ensure it fits in to the local community.'

Teignbridge and Dawlish councillor Val Jeffery was aware of problems in Third Avenue.

She said: 'Money has been spent on Third Avenue in recent years. But the play area is now in a poor state and keeps being vandalised.

'Perhaps we should have separate areas for toddlers and teenagers.

'We are looking at ways of trying to move forward.'