A COUPLE accused the town council of ruining their family's life as passions ran high at an extraordinary town meeting.

The meeting, held on Tuesday, was called for residents to discuss concerns over the installation of a skateboard area by Princes Risborough Town Council on the King George V playing fields.

The couple, who have a child with severe learning and behavioural difficulties, and live in Aylesbury Road, adjacent to the field said the new facility would force them to leave town and said councillors had failed to listen to residents' worries.

They claimed the noise from teenagers using the skateboard area would have a disastrous effect on their son's condition and added: "We've begged you not to do this. We've a small child; he will not be able to live here. We've spent our life caring for Risborough but Risborough cares for us not.

"Did you [the council] come round when we invited you? Have you talked to our son's teacher. You're wrecking our lives. Have you bothered? No, not a bit of it."

The extraordinary meeting was held after the previous town meeting on May 29 was branded a disgrace when less than ten minutes was allowed for an open forum. Town council chairman David Allworth resigned five days later.

John Coombs, new chairman of the town council, said they had listened and read and considered letters by the couple at meetings.

He said: "We have listened. We have debated this twice. I do not believe this play area will cause you any distress whatsoever."

Cllr Coombs added: "If necessary, we will reconsider the play area and remove the facility if there is a nuisance but I do not believe that will be the case."

A teenager, one of many who attended the meeting, which also discussed proposals for new council offices, said it would be unfair if the enjoyment of so many young people in the town was denied because one person would be affected.

Another resident said the skate facility should not go ahead because it went against the deeds of the field and surrounding houses.

She said the deeds said nothing could be built that would cause a nuisance and the skate facility would do that.

But Cllr Alan Kirby said nuisance is defined by law as to what is unreasonable to the average person and not to anyone specific.

Cllr Coombs said Thames Valley Police had advised the council not to site play equipment for teenagers next to playgrounds for children.