FRUSTRATED badminton players are unable to enjoy a friendly game at their community centre after the hall walls were painted yellow.

The Risborough Community Centre was painted last autumn, but players have been having trouble picking up the shuttle against the bright Tweetie Pie-coloured walls.

The community centre had originally been built to include a badminton court which met county standards and the ceiling was built higher than normal to enable badminton to be played properly. But players say this is not possible now.

Player Brian Simpkins, 72, said: "We can't see the shuttle. Protestations have been made by everyone in the groups but it won't get changed. It makes the game absolutely useless."

Another player Joan Went, said: "The yellow is a much more colourful colour but for playing badminton, it's absolutely horrible."

Players are also annoyed because they were not consulted by centre trustees before the centre was painted. Some players claim trustees want other groups with larger numbers to use the hall instead of badminton clubs which only account for half of the centre's bookings.

Also, badminton can only be played by up to four people while other bookings for the hall can be for up to 30 people. Members who sent letters to trustees have been told the issue will be discussed at a meeting in May.

Trustee John Coombs said trustees wanted a more customer-friendly colour. He added: "We understand it has caused badminton players a lot of consternation but I don't know what we can do to make it right."