TWO recreation grounds will be locked at night to keep young drinkers out.

Over and Wharton Recreation grounds will be gated and locked and from November 1 and it will be an offence to drink alcohol there.

Winsford Town Council took the decision to spend £6,000 on the locking and gating at a meeting.

Mike Kennedy, chairman of Grange Residents' Association, who organised a petition calling for the locking and gating, said: "We are delighted that after more than two years the Over and Wharton recreation grounds will be locked from dusk to dawn.

"We would have liked to have been consulted throughout the process and that didn't happen but we should all be pleased that it is going to be locked." Residents first began campaigning for the locking a gating after groundsman Colin Blakeley was attacked in Over Recreation Ground. He suffered a broken eye socket and was left so traumatised he had to give up his job.

Residents started a petition to get the parks closed at night.

Mr Kennedy said: "It was after that attack that residents decided to do something about it.

"It got to the point where there was broken glass and cans there every morning so parents couldn't let their children play there.

"The money spent by the town council will add to more than £100,000 of other environmental improvements we have achieved as an association in the area so we are very pleased about it."

Police community support officers will be responsible for locking the gates every night and keys will be kept at Winsford Neighbourhood Policing Unit.