A HERD of cattle has been unleashed by a Hampshire council in a bid to tackle antisocial behaviour.

Hampshire County Council has turned out eight cows to stop youths rambling across Monks Brook Playing Fields on motorcycles.

Council chiefs claim the livestock will help deter abuse of the land. And they think travellers, who have previously set up camp there, will be unlikely to return to land being grazed.

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But the unusual move has sparked a row with the neighbouring football club in Stoneham Lane who claim they were last year promised the land for extra pitches.

BTC Sports and Social Club bosses said the antisocial behaviour has just been shifted to a field the other side of the road and children are being deprived of more football facilities.

Damon Brown, club chairman said: “They are not solving the problem they are just moving it on and using it as an excuse not to give us a long-term lease.

"The longer these cows are on the field the more damage they are going to do."

He said BTC, which already supports 19 teams, wanted to mark out the land for three more full-size pitches and six mini pitches, which could be used to help start a girls’ league.

Mr Brown added: “The motorcycles would find it difficult to drive across the field on a Saturday and Sunday when its full of kids playing football.”

Leader of Hampshire County Council, councillor Ken Thornber, said the council was considering the request to use the land as sports pitches.

He said: “In the meantime, the land is being subjected to growing antisocial behaviour and particularly the unauthorised use of motor bikes.

“This problem has caused concern among local residents and the presence of livestock is intended to help deter the abuse of this land. The long-term future of the land will be discussed by councillors, and in the meantime, Hampshire County Council has responded directly to BTC FC.”