Residents are calling for a clampdown on anti-social behaviour after yobs used fireworks to blow up a wall on Ashford’s Godinton Park estate.

After a string of problems in the area, including drunken youths and vandalism, events took a serious turn recently.

It is believed youths put fireworks into the 6ft wall along the footpath leading from Viburnum Close to Chart Road, before setting them off and causing an explosion that sent the top of the wall crashing down and led to the footpath being covered in bricks.

Chris Gould, who has lived in the area for 17 years, was out at the time of the explosion. However his wife and 22-month-old granddaughter were inside their home.

He said: “My wife heard a loud bang and went outside to find that the half of the wall was in the footpath.

“Our granddaughter was in hysterics and the dog was going mad, it really scared them.

“The explosion blew the top coving off of our garden wall which landed within an inch of our front windows. We were so lucky that nobody was hurt or that there was no damage to the house.”

The 6ft wall has now been reduced to about 4ft in some places, with rubble covering the path.

Mr Gould, who is an ex-Royal Engineer, is used to working with explosives and believes two fireworks were used to cause the damage.

He said: “It wouldn’t have taken a lot, I think they used two bangers which they placed inside the wall from the side of the garages because the rubble has covered the path.

“If you know what you’re doing it’s very easy and very dangerous.”

Mr Gould has since attempted to clear the path so people can use it but it is believed it may now be closed off by Ashford Borough Council until the rubble is removed.

Mr Gould added: “The path isn’t lit at all so in the dark people won’t be able to see the debris.

“It’s a bit of a grey area who owns the footpath and whether it’s a public right of way.

“If it’s the residents that own the footpath we will think about cordoning it off and not building it back up so high because the anti-social behaviour is getting worse and it’s not people from the estate; anyone can use the footpath to get in here.”