JUST hours into its much-heralded official launch in Welwyn Garden City, Street Snooker left residents needing a rest and pleading for a break from the noise.

Householders living near Moneyhole Lane Playing Fields, where the gaming board is sited, chalked up complaints about the incessant din from balls thwacking against the large metal sheet.

The game involves players booting balls against a metal ‘snooker’ board to score points – cue complaints from nearby residents who have baulked at the prospect.

Ian Barnes called the Welwyn Hatfield Times just five hours after the kick wall was unveiled.

He said: “It’s right outside the back of our houses. Have you any idea of the noise it produces?

“This is day one and the noise is horrendous.”

He added: “We’ve got summer coming up and with lighter evenings we won’t be able to use our gardens.

“I’m going to fight this to the day I die, and I’ve already been onto the environmental health people.

“We weren’t consulted on this and they just turned up.

“It’s just ridiculous.

“It really resonates – it’s like kicking a ball against a bloody great van.”

And neighbour Bhakri Shah fears her summer could be snookered.

She said: “You can hear them [from the house].

“It will be a disturbance especially in the summertime when the windows are open. Then it will be a problem.”

The Street Snooker event was launched last Tuesday with Olympic badminton silver medallist Gail Emms and world football freestyle champion John Farnworth demonstrating the game.

The equipment was bought by Panshanger ward councillors Darren Bennett, Roger Trigg and Sara Johnston, using �5,000 Community Chest funding.

Cllr Bennett, the council’s ‘sports champion’, defended the game’s installation.

He said: “The launch of Street Snooker took place on Tuesday afternoon during half-term, it was very well attended and we feel it will become a popular and valuable addition to Moneyhole Lane Playing Fields and the community it serves.

“We are sorry that a resident was disturbed by the noise.”