SMASHED glass, piles of cans and overgrown grass are all problems at a community centre going to “rack and ruin”, angry residents say.

The community centre in Turpington Lane, Bromley Common, has been used for years by those living nearby for regular karate, bridge and bingo activities.

But now they claim Broomleigh Housing Association, which owns the centre, has left it in a bad state of repair with long grass coming up through cracks outside, bottles and cans left to pile up by walls and regular vandalism by youths.

Rick Johnson, 52, of Turpington Lane, says the centre on his road has largely been forgotten about by the housing association.

The father-of-two said: “They’ve left it in a really poor state of repair.

“We just want to get things like the grass cut and the rubbish cleared.

“Anyone who goes outside for a cigarette is knee deep in grass.

“It also keeps getting windows smashed because of all the little darlings round here.”

Mr Johnson, who has lived on the road for 11 years, said despite complaints by residents the problems had got worse recently and the centre was now being ruined for people living nearby.

He said: “I think they’re just letting it go to rack and ruin myself.

“Everyone here’s disgusted with it.”

Association head of neighbourhood investment Matthew Parsonage said:  “A new cleaning contractor has recently been appointed to maintain the Turpington Lane Community Centre and the site is scheduled for a major clean-up in the next week.

“The centre is also set to receive major investment in the next 12 months after being identified as one of five new nationwide community hubs providing a range of services including training, youth activities and financial advice. 

“We will be consulting with residents in the coming months to discuss exactly what type of new services they would like us to facilitate in the area.”