A GIRL guide campsite has been blocked by villagers who fear it will bring chaos to their peaceful lives.

All the youngsters wanted was a spot to build their campfires and gather round to sing songs.

But people living in a nearby hamlet fear it will bring "noise and disruption" to the rural idyll.

The North Tyneside Guide Association uses the former Kirknewton Church of England first school field, in Kirknewton near Berwick, Northumberland, for camping trips.

Guide leaders are now seeking a change of use to provide a site for youth groups and to build an accompanying amenity block.

But the use of the words "youth groups" in the application has prompted villagers to fear youngsters staying at the site will bring trouble to their doorsteps.

They are also concerned there will be a massive increase in the number of people coming to their quiet rural community.

The Guides have insisted the only noise will be them singing around the campfire.

But retired Brian Cox, 60, of Kirknewton House, said that while people were happy to welcome Guides to the hamlet "there have been certain concerns about noise levels".

He added: "The real concern is for the future with what could potentially be a large number of people on the site from a variety of organisations."

Coun Brian Sharpe, acting chairman of the parish council, added: "I think the fear is that it is a quiet country district and if groups of people come, some of the groups may be unsuitable."

The school closed in 2003 and was later bought by the Guides. Shortly afterwards, planning permission was awarded for the conversion of the school into a dormitory.

However, asbestos was later found in the building, which means the Guides will eventually have to demolish and replace it.

As yet, the money has not been raised to do this, but the organisation does have enough to build an amenity block, to complement camping on the field.

It claims this is needed as, at present, girls are having to walk to the village hall to use its toilets due to a lack of on-site facilities.

Ann Lilley, county commissioner for the North Tyneside association, said access would be limited to Guides, Scouts, and possibly church groups - all organisations "we approve of".

She said the campsite would accommodate no more than 40 people at any one time.

Mrs Lilley said there would be a certain amount of noise associated with children enjoying themselves - such as singing around the campfire, but said the youngsters would be supervised at all times.

She said: "We just want to make opportunities available for girls and boys to enjoy nature and the countryside.

"There has been a lot of misinformation and misconception around the village."

An initial planning application was submitted to Northumberland National Park Authority in January, but was later withdrawn following opposition.

An informal residents' committee held several meetings to air concerns, attended by most of the 30 people living in the hamlet, and Kirknewton Parish Council also objected.