No fun for boys told to move toys out of sight (From Warrington Guardian)

No fun for boys told to move toys out of sight

A MUM of four could hardly believe it when she was told off for having toys in her garden.

Leanne Kitson, aged 24, of McKee Avenue, Longford was asked by Golden Gates Housing to stop her children playing in the front garden because their equipment can be seen from the street.

Miss Kitson's front garden is twice the size of the back one, which is why her children - Jake, aged seven, Joshua, aged five, Nathan Turton, aged six, and Ryan, aged two - use it.

She said: "The first letter just said I should tidy up the rubbish and because the kids had left a few crisp packets lying around I removed them.

"Then I got another letter specifying that it was their toys. I was angry because it's just toys. It's not overgrown or full of rubbish.

"We keep the garden maintained - I'd understand if having an overgrown garden was the problem."

Since receiving the first letter, Miss Kitson and her partner Glen Willcock have been storing toys behind their house, rather than at the side but are angry that the housing association wants their children to stop playing in the front garden altogether.

A note sent to Mr Willcock on August 19 read: "Whilst I realise your children need to play out, this activity is better suited to the rear garden, where their equipment cannot be seen from the street."

Andrew Oates, estates services manager for Golden Gates Housing, said: "We are committed to improving the standard of the estates we manage.

"This includes asking tenants to keep their gardens tidy and taking appropriate action if they fail to do so.

"In this particular case, we made several attempts to contact the tenant but received no response.

"We would be happy to discuss the matter with Mr Willcock who can contact us free on 0800 195 9195."