A PLAYING field is to be closed to footballers after town councillors decided it was too dangerous to use.

Princes Risborough town council, which owns the pitch, decided on Tuesday night, to close the Earle Mitchell. The pitch has potholes in it and the uneven surface makes it too dangerous for footballers.

"We will suspend all playing until further notice," chairman of the council David Allworth said.

Cllr John Coombs visited the site in December with a qualified referee.

He said: "We looked at the pitch and we decided it was becoming dangerous," Cllr Coombs said.

He added: "We want to be able to repair the damage. If we leave it any longer the pitch will be unplayable for two seasons."

Football managers who use the pitch will now be informed of the decision.

The heavy rain and snow has contributed to the pitch's deterioration but Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator John Benyon said the pitch was in a terrible position before the bad weather.

He has long complained about the state of the field, which is used by people to dump their rubbish.

He said: "I appreciate the problem the council has but when something looks like a tip, people use it as a tip."