TODAY is the last chance for a group of Locks Heath residents to have their say about the siting of a controversial "teen village".

Furious residents of the Priory Park Estate are up in arms about plans to build the facility on a nearby park.

They say the grandly-named development - in reality no more than two metal benches with a roof - will attract noisy youngsters who will use it as a place to meet, drink and take drugs into the early hours.

Councillors have insisted the project is not set in stone and have called the public meeting to decide the issue.

Residents will come face to face with council planners tonight to voice their concerns.

They say the youngsters create noise, intimidate park users, smash windows and have smeared garage doors with dog mess.

One resident - who did not want to give his name - said: "Broken glass, litter, syringes and condoms have been found. We do not want it the teen village because it will increase the opportunity for people to congregate.

"If you give delinquents somewhere to assemble after pubs close they will use it as a focal point."

Another resident, Ron Crowton, 37, said: "In an ideal world people meet and have a chat and do not cause problems.

"But what will happen is that it will be used as a meeting place - primarily when people come out of the pub and make a huge amount of noise.

"Last Friday they were playing football until 1.30am. I do not want to live next to all this noise. The council should put the money towards a proper youth facility."

But Fareham council insists it is listening to local people.

Council Leader Sean Woodward said the public was consulted on the issue before building work was given the go-ahead to start in two weeks' time.

But he said the council put the brakes on the project when it realised the strength of local opposition.

Tonight's meeting will decide the project's future.

Cllr Woodward said: "Residents will be asked if they want it and if they do want it, let's agree where to site it."

He said the ultimate decision would be in the hands of the council's executive, but added: "There is little point trying to force things on to people."

The public meeting will be held at Priory Park Community Centre in Upper Brook Drive at 8.30pm. Local councillors and the police will attend.