Number is up for bingo night in Daventry

Calling time: Bingo players Lillian Wright, front left, and Joyce Kitchener with, back from left, Linda and Peter Protheroe with Lyn and Colin Williams.

So many members have stopped coming that the group can no longer afford to cover its costs.

Most of the bingo players live on the Grange and ages range from people in their 20s and 30s through to the very elderly.

Organiser Lillian Wright said: "It's been going for 37 years and it shouldn't be shutting down, but people are too worried to come. We don't play for big prizes or anything, but it's a community thing."

Windows in the hall had been smashed by stones thrown from outside as they sat playing, youths have been seen climbing the shop fronts opposite the entrance, and groups routinely gather in the car park outside.

The bingo players even lock themselves inside the hall because members are so concerned about the teenagers hanging around outside.

Mrs Wright added: "We have local police community support officers and they know what time we meet and where. All it would take is for them to turn up around the time we arrive and leave."

Peggy Anson, 85, has been playing bingo with the group for 30 years. She said: "I'm very disappointed that it's going to close. Coming here is my only night of pleasure in the week."

People walking through the estate to get to the hall had also been intimidated by youths.

Joyce Kitchener, who has been playing bingo there for 26 years, said: "I usually get a lift here, but one time I had to walk and the teenagers rode bikes right up the path to try and force me into the road.That night I was too frightened to walk home on my own and I had to get a lift."

Colin Williams said: "I'm 70 and sometimes I walk other people home to the other side of the estate from where I live. Sometimes when I'm walking back I go right round the estate rather than walk back past the shops where
the kids hang out."

His wife Lynne added: "I've been coming here for 27 years.It's not very nice having to put up with the teenagers.I'm reluctant to accept the situation, but if people are worried about coming there's not a lot we can do."

Colin Poole is one of Daventry District Council's ward members covering the Grange. He said: "I'm extremely disturbed that this group is closing because of the actions of mindless individuals.

"People will call for CCTV in Tamar Square, but cameras don't stop people binge drinking or anti-social behaviour. Every gut feeling I have about anti-social behaviour says we need more police on the beat. We need to give our PCSOs more powers. They do a wonderful job, but in many cases their hands are tied because they lack the powers.

It's also down to a general lack of respect from certain young people and that's down to the parents."