A PICTURESQUE field in Warsash could be turned into a car park to cater for sailing enthusiasts during Cowes Week.

Residents are outraged over the plan to turn part of Strawberry Fields in Shore Road into a car park during the week-long sailing event from August 3-10.

They have vowed to fight the proposal by Hampshire County Council, claiming the 9.7-acre field is a designated green space and regularly enjoyed by families and dog walkers.

Angry Shore Road resident Caroline Ruff said she was shocked at the proposal.

She said: "We have not received any notification about the plans along our road, but we just can't believe they are suggesting this.

"We are worried that if they allow this to go ahead it will be the start of making it a regular occurrence. Shore Road is narrow as it is and we have old cottages in a designated conservation area, so congestion and disruption will be immense."

Hampshire County Council has confirmed that an application on behalf of a private company has been submitted to Fareham council for approval.

A spokeswoman for Hampshire said: "We have had a request from a private company to use part of the field for car parking during Cowes Week.

"The cars will enter in the morning, leave in the evening and the car park will be fully stewarded. It will not be open for access to the general public and will close overnight.

"We have requested planning permission from Fareham council as we feel that by doing it this way instead of using public car parks, disruption and congestion will be kept to a minimum.

"We appreciate the concerns of local residents about vehicles being parked too close to property and will be working closely with Fareham council to take these concerns into account."

But Mrs Ruff said she and her three children would all be writing letters of objection as soon as possible to the council.

She said: "My children will be really upset if they are not allowed to play on the field during Cowes Week.

"It is well used by all the locals and we don't want to start it being turned into a car park. This could just be the thin edge of the wedge."