RESIDENTS who whinge about children playing football in the street were today warned they could ruin the national game.

Councillors at one East Lancashire authority said they were sick and tired of people complaining about budding David Beckhams having a kickabout outside their homes - and then opposing plans for recreation grounds.

Now police have warned they won't move youngsters off just because they are playing football in streets as Euro 2004 fever hots up.

And Blackburn Rovers legends Ronnie Clayton and Simon Garner said playing on the streets helped make them the players they were.

Ribble Valley Council's quality of life officer, former policeman John Barber, said disgruntled residents were strangling the life out of the national game.

But he also called on parents to teach their children better manners when retrieving balls from people's gardens.

He said: "We should be happy that all these budding David Beckhams and Michael Owens are learning new skills and getting valuable exercise, and plenty of fresh air.

"But increasing numbers of residents who value peace and quiet after a hard day's work and have a lovely garden claim they feel threatened by youngsters who are allegedly rude, aggressive, insolent, drug taking and alcohol swigging monsters.

"Every day complaints are made about youngsters playing football in public, but is it so hard for people to appreciate each other and understand their differing lifestyles and generations?

"The parody of Victor Meldrew and other TV grumps must end."

Coun Mary Robinson, a Clitheroe councillor, said: "Sometimes residents have concerns, but often youngsters have nowhere else to play because residents moaning about football in the street also oppose a new football pitch or something else nearby." Sgt Bob Eaton, of Accrington Police, said: "We won't just tell youngsters to stop playing in the street just because they are there. People have to be tolerant and appreciate the majority of youngsters are just enjoying themselves."

Former Rovers star striker Simon Garner, 44, said: "When I was a kid in Lincolnshire, we played on the streets all the time and quite safely.

"Obviously, practice is important. The more you play, the better you get," added Garner, who scored 192 goals in 14 seasons for Rovers between 1978 and 1992 - more goals than any other player in the club's history. And former Rovers and England player Ronnie Clayton, of Knowsley Road, Wilpshire, agrees.

He said: "When I grew up in Preston, we walked to school and passed the ball between us, from one side of the street to the other. There was no traffic on the roads. Our lives were football, football, football, every day.

"Football's a fantastic game, but you need lots of practice. Being able to play outside on the streets obviously helps."