Southampton residents last night voted to keep the name of the controversial Death Valley playground - but want to remove the sign that loudly declares it to passers-by.

The meeting was attended by Norbert Simons from the Min of Community and Cultural Affairs and today he will make the recommendation to Minister Randy Horton that the sign comes down.

More than 30 residents attended last night's meeting held at Southampton Glebe. Those against the name argued that it was inappropriate for a playground. One man, a taxi driver, said tourists were constantly amazed by it.

"I won't even take my grandson there," he said. "I take him to Warwick to play."

But others argued strongly for maintaining the playground's historic links.

Adrian Bean said that, growing up, all the boys played on the Death Valley cricket and football teams.

Many others referred to the death of people who used to pack race along the stretch of road in the past, earning the area its grim moniker.

"Death Valley will always be Death Valley to me and a lot of other people," added Keith Lapsley.

While Sharon Leman suggested the name was morbid, Andrew Griffith argued that death is a natural part of life."So many of the streets are named after places in England no one will ever go to," he said.

"But this is a part of our heritage and it should remain as it is.