Footballers are defying efforts to stop them playing on seafront lawns.

Brighton and Hove City Council has let the grass grow on Hove Lawns, where ball games are banned, in a bid to make play impossible.

But the bylaw is still being flouted by dozens of footballers who organise matches at weekends.

People living in houses and flats overlooking the lawns have demanded tougher action.

Mike Sayers, of Kingsway Court, has complained to the Health and Safety Executive that a number of people have been injured by stray balls.

He said: "It is that time of year again when the illegal football games get under way.

"Growing the grass longer does not appear to be discouraging the players.

"What does the council intend to do?

"At the moment there are no signs to indicate ball games are banned."

Doris and Norman Thomas said the longer grass had had some effect outside their home in the prestigious Courtenay Gate flats overlooking the lawns - but the problem had not been stamped out Mr Thomas said: "There are fewer football games on the lawn near us but further up there are still a lot.

"People also have barbecues on the lawns and beach and there is no one here to stop them doing it.

"The other night there were 30 youngsters on the promenade and lawns and they were using our garden as a toilet.

"The lawns are totally destroyed. There are so many bare patches from the football that they will never get back to what they were."

The Argus reported last year that teams from as far away as Crawley were organising matches on the lawns via the internet.

Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Elgood, who represents Brunswick and Adelaide, said appropriate uses for the lawns included spontaneous kickabouts, t'ai chi and picnics.

He said: "What we need is a thorough review of the outdated bylaws and then action could be taken against illegal activities.

"No one wants to ban everything but we do need appropriate uses.

"People get very angry about barbecues on the lawns and cycling on the promenade.

"It may seem harmless to a degree but when you have a mass of people in the summer it ruins the quality of life for residents."

The Health and Safety Executive said it would not investigate because its remit only extended to work-related issues.

The council was unavailable for comment.