A disused park pavilion has been earmarked as the site for a desperately needed youth club in Old Coulsdon.

A recent spate of antisocial incidents has left a sour taste in the mouths of Old Coulsdon residents, with graffiti and the use of loud mopeds at the top of a list of complaints.

The lack of youth provisions in Old Coulsdon is an issue that has sparked much debate in the area - particularly after a youth club in Parsons Pightle was forced to close by vandals last month.

At an Old Coulsdon Residents' Association (OCRA) meeting the pavilion in Grange Park in Coulsdon Road was revealed as a possible site for a new youth centre.

Sergeant David Moody, of Coulsdon East Safer Neighbourhood Team, suggested the idea of transforming the pavilion into a youth centre to Croydon Council.

"It's right in the middle of the park and it's a building that's not being utilised so it would be great if we could use it to benefit the area," he said.

Coun Wright, ward councillor for Coulsdon East, said youth provision in Old Coulsdon was a top priority.

He added: "I've got a meeting with someone from the youth services department at the council this week and we will be going through the whole issue of youth provisions in Old Coulsdon because at the moment there does seem to be a lot of youngsters hanging around.

"More youth provisions are a must in Old Coulsdon. The pavilion is a good possibility for a youth centre and hopefully something can happen there. It's now a case of the safer neighbourhood team putting it to the council who will decide whether the site is suitable."

Pat Ward Lee, chairman of the OCRA, echoed Coun Wright's sentiments but said any site must be suitable.

"I certainly think the pavilion is a possible site - but not if it creates more problems. It is important that any facility is well lit and more importantly that the youths are controlled.

"They need somewhere to meet that it is controlled but at the moment when they meet at the park it is uncontrolled.

"Youth provisions is top of the agenda but we also need to convince the residents a youth club wouldn't increase problems."