RESIDENTS and churchgoers want police to show the "red card" to youths playing soccer on a council-owned car park.

Neighbours in Bridge Close and parishioners of Bridge Methodist Church in Radcliffe claim cars are being damaged and that church-goers and local people have been verbally abused.

There has also been damage to the church and minister Neville Markham said parishioners felt intimidated.

Church wardens are now considering installing CCTV at the church to monitor the car park.

Mr Markham told a meeting of the Radcliffe Area Board: "We are not anti-youth, but when people are parking on the car park to use the church, the football games continue and cars are being damaged.

"The church has needed £1,000 worth of repairs over the past year because of vandalism.

Mr Markham told the meeting that local residents were also confused about when they should ring 999 for the police.

He said: "Residents often feel threatened and frightened and are not sure whether it is an emergency or not.

Insp Steve Clark said: "We have already been down to the site on a number of occasions, and have confiscated footballs but they can just as easily go and buy another one.

"This issue needs to be looked at further."