FIREFIGHTERS were called to a trouble hotspot in Chandler's Ford after residents reported hearing "loud explosions" at the weekend.

Now local councillor Colin Davidovitz is calling for urgent action to install security cameras at the Hiltingbury Recreation Ground in Hiltingbury Road after a Ford Escort was discovered ablaze near the pavilion.

Cllr Davidovitz said residents living near the scene were "alarmed" to hear loud explosions coming from the rec shortly before midnight last Friday.

"I don't know what caused this fire but it appears to be a severe escalation of the arson and vandalism which has become a feature of the weekend at the rec.

"In the past, the cricket hut has been burned down, bonfires have been lit on the cricket square and attempts have even been made to set alight the skateboard facilities."

He added: "What will happen next, I wonder? Will an attempt be made on the pavilion itself before something is done to curb this mindless destruction?"

Mr Davidovitz said he was pleased to learn that council officers were now looking at proposals to bring in a bylaw to stop the consumption of alcohol at the recreation ground - which he believes is the root cause of much of the vandalism.

He added: "It is high time that the current council administration acted on my motion to install security cameras at the site to deter acts of this sort and enable the police to identify and detain culprits."

A police spokesman confirmed that officers had been called to the car fire incident, and he said inquiries were continuing.

Eastleigh firefighters said the car, which was destroyed in the blaze, was on its roof when they arrived.