YOUNG vandals are risking their lives by trespassing in a derelict hotel, where neighbours have counted eight fires in the past week.

People living in three streets near the former Kensington Hall Hotel, in Willington, signed a petition yesterday, calling on local authorities to take action.

But they could have to wait months before the bulldozers move in, the building's owners have warned.

This is because a bat survey is part of planning consent for new houses on the site. The owners, Knightsbridge Developments UK, of Belmont, Durham, have been told this cannot be carried out until next May.

Wear Valley District Council said it was looking for a faster solution, one which could involve using emergency powers.

Officers spoke with Willington councillors and fire service district manager Steve Owers after the latest fire on Sunday night.

Mr Owers now stops his crews from entering the building because it is too dangerous.

He said: "The last thing we want is for a young person to fall through the floor. There are holes covered by carpet and someone could be killed.

"We have talked to Wear Valley District Council and police, as well as the developers.

"It is difficult for the developers, because they have boarded up the building, but young people find a way in.

"There was a fire on Saturday at 11pm. We are asking parents to think about where their children are at that time of night."

Jim Smith, chairman of Willington Town Council, and district councillor Margaret Pinkney accepted the petition from Coronation Terrace resident Emma Wilks yesterday.

Councillor Smith said: "We are fully behind the residents. Everybody is fed up with these fires.

"There can't be bats in the building. Any that may have been there will be long gone by now."

Ben Burnip, spokesman for Knightsbridge, said: "It is in our and the public's interests to pull down the building, but, due to a planning condition, we need a bat survey, which cannot be done until May next year.

"We will do out best to make the building secure and work with the council to move the project on."