A children's play area that has become a target for joyriders was blighted again last week, when a car was driven onto the grassy area and set on fire.

The fire took place at 5.30am on Friday morning.

Councillor John Fletcher has been calling for the area to be fenced off, and complained to Monmouthshire County Council three years ago in an effort to stop vehicle access to the piece of ground between Hollywell Close and Carbonne Close, in Monnouth.

"The ground is getting churned up all the time", John told the Beacon, "and the locals are carrying mud into their houses on their shoes."

Local residents have complained that they don't like letting their children out of the house for fear of the cars.

"Three years ago, a police car chased joyriders past my house," explained one resident, "and then onto the grassy area and out through Elstob Way. Quite often they go racing through here and out the other end."

A Gwent Police spokesman told the Beacon that the police had been notified of the incident by the fire brigade, but had no further information.