A swing in a Bexleyheath allotment, used by children from the local community, must be taken down after a women, branded "pathetic", claimed she "was being overlooked".

Caswell McCann, 48, wife Desiree and the pair's two children, Billy, 8, and Roxanne, 6, starting renting a plot in Barry Avenue allotments three years ago.

For 11 years the plot next door has had a swing, hanging from a tree, which children have permission to play on.

However, Mr McCann said after a woman moved into a nearby house and complained about the swing, Bexley Council said it should be removed.

The 48-year-old, of Woolwich Road, added the woman often gives him "dirty looks"  and once shouted at him: "You must have a really small garden if you want an allotment like this."

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Caswell McCann, wife Desiree and their two children, Billy and Roxanne, by the swing

He told News Shopper: "It's just bad news. Whatever her problem is, she's taking it out on little kids who enjoy using the swing.

"She should be ashamed of herself, it is pathetic in my eyes."

Desiree McCann, 36, said: "It's not only our kids who play on it, other kids play on it as well.

"This woman felt she was being overlooked by the children using the swing.

"I think it is such a shame, it has been there for so long.

"To move in and then immediately complain about it, upsetting the community. People are normally happy to see kids playing."

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She added: "We got the allotment for the kids, so they could play there and not at home on ipads.

"We don't believe they could be seen in the garden, and for the council to then take her side.

"I just think they are siding with the wrong people."

A council spokesman said: "The council does not provide or maintain children’s play equipment on any of its allotment sites. 

"The swing was put up by a previous allotment tenant.  

"Following a complaint made by an adjoining resident we asked the current tenant to remove it."