Signs banning children from playing ball games on their village greens have been put up less than two weeks before the start of the school summer holidays.

It will be the first time the greens in the Woodingdean area of Brighton have been child-free zones since the houses were built in the Fifties.

The council greens on some of the streets have been used to hold community events such as rounders matches, street parties and games.

But now Brighton and Hove City Council has erected signs all over Woodingdean ordering "No ball games".

Residents are furious that after more than 40 years, children will no longer be allowed to play near their homes.

Rita Langford, 62, has lived in Langley Crescent for 38 years and brought up three sons who played on the greens. Her 15-year-old grandson also did so until the signs went up on Monday.

She said: "It's a bit naughty. All my boys played football there and I don't understand why they put these signs up without knocking on our doors.

"If there were complaints, why didn't they talk to us?"

Mother of two Fiona Manville, 40, also of Langley Crescent, is furious at the decision. Her 15-year-old son also plays football on the greens.

She said parents wanted their children to be able to play near their homes so they could keep an eye on them. She does not want her son wandering off and hanging around the streets.

She said: "I'm so angry about this. It's really upsetting community spirit. We've had street parties out there where the families have all got together. We've had rounders, barbecues and football.

"We even got a big piece of plastic and put water on it so the children could use it as a water slide. The older people sat in their chairs and watched. It's not fair on those good kids."

But John Walker, who has lived for ten years near one of the greens where the young people congregate, welcomes the signs.

He said teenagers were out on the green until 10pm causing a nuisance.

He said: "I agree there's nowhere here for them to go and I have no problem with the younger children playing there so their parents can keep an eye on them but I do have a problem with the teenagers congregating around this area playing football, baseball and tennis with no respect for people's property.

"They hit cars and one ball came through my front door."

Mr Walker said many of the teenagers did not come from his street but from nearby Langley Crescent.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: "The council put up the signs in Langley Crescent out of concern for public safety and at the request of some residents.

"It would appear many residents have been using the greens in Woodingdean as football pitches. These areas are next to busy roads and there was a real risk of a child running into the road.

"There was a fatal accident in Cowley Drive in recent years and we want to ensure it does not happen again."