Dense housing developments with no gardens are leaving Colchester youngsters with nowhere to play.

Groups of teenagers are left to congregate in public areas where they are seen as a threat by adults, an official report warns.

The newly-published play strategy calculates there are 39,700 people aged under 19 in the borough, out of a population of 160,000.

It predicts that figure will swiftly rise as families move to hundreds of proposed new homes.

And with many developers building tightly-packed developments of small properties - to meet market demands and comply with planning rules - it says more cash is needed for playground equipment and projects that get children active.

Leisure chiefs at Colchester Council hope the report will help them win a £314,000 grant that is available from the Government to fund improvements to play facilities.

But parks and recreation manager Bob Penny told the Gazette further funds will have to be found.

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