Wallingford residents have raised concerns about plans to build housing next to the town's new youth club development.

Oxfordshire County Council has earmarked £730,000 to replace the existing club, in Clapcot Way, but land on the site will be sold for housing to offset the cost.

Wallingford mayor Betty Atkins said: "Who would want to buy a house right next door to a youth club with its attendant problems of noise and disturbance? I think that idea may need some rethinking."

Youth leader Paul Alcorn added: "Housing next door might not be a good answer. We already have complaints about noise and we don't want any more."

Jean Savage, 23, from Reading Road, said: "Young people are naturally noisy and building houses right next to a youth club is a sure way of getting a lot of complaints."

John Masters, 64, from Dorchester, said: "No way would I want to live that close to a youth centre. It's a recipe for conflict and disaster."

One resident living close to the present premises, but who would not be named in case he was targeted by youths, said: "We know the young people need a youth centre and the leader there has done a lot for local youngsters.

"But the noise, shouting and swearing that comes from there is sometimes intolerable."