MODEL aeroplane enthusiasts could soon have their wings clipped by a flying ban at a Hampshire recreation ground.

Villagers have called for large model planes flying over their homes to be grounded because of noise and concerns about the safety of children playing on the field if one of the aircraft crashed.

Councillors were today due to discuss whether to introduce a by-law banning the flyers from Hook, near Warsash.

There has been an influx of model aeroplane enthusiasts on the site since they were stopped from using the HMS Daedalus site in Lee-on-the-Solent.

Villager Peter Lowater, who also owns a nursery in the Hook, said that on two occasions an aeroplane had smashed through a glasshouse window.

He said: "I have people working in the nursery and this is a safety issue, I can't have glass spraying down on them. We send people home when the wind gets too strong in case a window shatters, we can't do that every time a model aircraft takes to the air."

Nick Carter has organised a petition against the model planes and had 150 signatures from angry residents.

He said: "They have had both an emotional and financial impact on our village and what we want now is a sense of control restored."

Another villager, who did not want to be named, said: "We thought Southampton Airport had changed its flight plan to pass straight over our houses when we heard the noise."

Trevor Cartwright, Fareham borough councillor for the area, said: "The noise of these model aeroplanes has caused horses, some of them pregnant, to stampede in the next field to the recreation ground. People out walking their dogs fear for their safety.

"These planes can reach speeds of up to 100mph and a direct hit could kill or seriously injure somebody."

Tony Cox, chairman of the Gosport Model Flyers Club, said: "Model aeroplane flying is a recognised sport and yet there are no sites for this activity anywhere in Fareham or Gosport. If we were footballers they would be quick enough to supply a ground.

"There is talk of limiting our use of the grounds to just Wednesdays and Saturdays, but people are at work or at the football then. What we really need is to be allowed to use a site on a Sunday."

He said that there had been a few crashes but that they were insured for more than £3m.

Due to a lack of alternative sites, the enthusiasts descended on Hook, and most of the flyers are insured with the British Model Flying Association (BMFA).

Roger Bellingham, flying site adviser for the British Model Flying Association (BMFA), said a complete ban would be unjust and instead said limitations should be put in place.

He added: "We hope that the outcome of the council meeting will allow model aircraft enthusiasts to continue flying from the Hook Recreation Ground.

"If possible there could be a limit placed on the weight of the aircrafts stating they should not exceed three quarters of a kilogram and also limit on the times the grounds are used and introduction of certain no-go zones."