Parents at a canal-side estate are adamant a six-foot fence must stay in place - despite complaints from residents.

The fence was put up by Oxford Citizens Housing Association, at the Waterways development near the Oxford Canal, a month ago.

Some angry residents say it has ruined their view of the canal - and the situation got worse when swastikas were graffitied on the panels.

But families on the estate have hit back and say the fence must stay.

Mother-of-four Rachel Ellam, who lives in Rackham Place, was one of a number of parents who called for a fence for more than two years.

She says the fence, that blocks a strip of land between her home and a block of flats, stops children from playing dangerously close to the canal.

Mrs Ellam said: "We now know our children cannot run down there and our lives have been made easier.

"Everyone was really pleased about it because it's one less danger for our kids and for other unaccompanied kids."

She added: "It would have been nice to have some trellis on it but at the end of the day a view cannot be put ahead of children's safety."

Mrs Ellam said the 15ft-wide strip of land that leads to the canal had also been used by teenagers who disturbed residents.

She said: "Some teenagers were trying to fish down there and were swearing and being vile."

"We all want it the fence to stay.

"I will be furious if it comes down."

Two weeks ago, Rackham Place resident Adam Hazell, 27, said the fence made him feel like he was in jail.

Mr Hazell said: "The fence was put up three weeks ago. I went to work in the morning, came home and it had been erected.

"It blocks light from my flat and makes me feel like I am in prison.

"I have been here a year and there has been no vandalism or trouble outside before."

No-one was available at OCHA to comment on the issue but two weeks ago Andrew Smith, OCHA operations director, told the Oxford Mail the association would consult residents on the fence.

He said it had been erected as part of the estate's Secure by Design certificate.

Mr Smith said it was an option for the association to replace the wooden fence with a metal one.