A PROTEST group has delivered scores of leaflets to residents on a Southampton estate urging them to vote down plans to build houses on open space.

Mansel Park could be turned into a £1m community park with an open-air amphitheatre, sports pitches, a maze and wildlife garden.

But part of the Green Link, a stretch of land between Mansel Park and Green Park, would have to be sold off to pay for the improvements.

The alternative is for a cheaper, less ambitious upgrade of some of the park's facilities.

Residents will decide which option will be followed and thousands of official voting slips have been sent out.

Now new leaflets from a mystery group have been dropping through doors across the area with the message: "Millbrook residents say no."

It states: "Millbrook is a lovely green area. If we let this go ahead, how long will it be before they take the small green area outside your front door?

"They are telling us that this green area is significantly underused. How do they know - do they live here? No! They wouldn't want small estates built on their doorsteps."

It adds that losing green space for more facilities "is not worth it".

Natasha Eagan, who lives in Waveney Green near to one of the areas earmarked for housing, was among those who received the leaflet.

She said: "It's safe for the kids to play on the Green Link. The council even put up goalposts on the grass in the summer - now the same spot could be sold for housing.

"If we let them take this, they're going to snap up every bit of green land left. More housing would bring more problems."

The land will only be sold if the majority of Millbrook residents support the idea.

Drop-in sessions are taking place when residents can view the plans. They run today from 4pm until 7pm, and on Wednesday from 10am until 1pm at the Outer Shirley Regeneration office in Irving Road, Millbrook.