A NEIGHBOURHOOD Watch-style-group could be set up in to help keep vandals out of a Colchester Ministry of Defence firing range.

Footpath campaigners have mooted the idea for the Middlewick Ranges as an alternative to Ministry of Defence proposals to close a footpath running through the site.

The ministry already has planning permission to fence off the ranges, off the Mersea Road, to prevent vandalism and to stop the public walking through the ranges during training exercises.

Colchester Council is due to host a public inquiry at the Town Hall, on January 26 and 27, to consider an application to divert the footpath About 30 residents met at the Scout Centre, in Queen Elizabeth Way, Monkwick, on Sunday to discuss ways to oppose the closure at the inquiry.

Dave Harris, ward councillor, said he hoped to persuade the inspector running the inquiry to accept a compromise.

This would involve delaying the footpath diversion while the ministry and residents set up a group to watch over the site and counter vandalism and arson. Mr Harris said: “We must support the principle of stopping antisocial behaviour, but we must also preserve our way of life and rights of way.

“The meeting was superb.

A couple of people have already promised to come along to have their say in January.”

Mr Harris said residents had expressed unhappiness at the loss of public access to the ranges and concern at the way the eight-foot-high fence would look.