RESIDENTS living close to a village community centre say their quality of life will suffer, after the facility was granted a licence for musical, drama and dance events.

The Randolph Centre, in Evenwood, near Barnard Castle, has been successful in its bid for an entertainment licence. The licence will allow plays, sporting events and live music to take place between 7am and 11pm daily.

Officials say they are keen to work with residents. But, at yesterday's meeting of Teesdale District Council's licensing sub-committee, residents living near the community centre spoke about how their lives are already a "living hell" because of anti-social behaviour by local youths.

Supporters say that, without the licence, the hall would miss out on the opportunity to host events, as well as increasing revenue through the hire of the facility.

Residents said youths going to and from events at the hall have caused damage to property, hurled abuse and left rubbish, empty alcohol bottles and used condoms outside their properties.

David Musgrave, of Shirley Terrace, said: "It has been a complete living hell.

"I'm having to clean up all sorts of things from the driveway, and I shouldn't have to.

"Some of the older residents are saying they would be better off dead, rather than have to put up with the trouble. I can't see it getting any better when they are holding discos until late."

The police made no representation for or against the licence application, despite locals calling them out on numerous occasions.

Ellen Musgrave, also of Shirley Terrace, said: "We feel like we've been let down by the police, because they said they would be against it."

About 45 people signed a petition, protesting about the licence, but Keith Jones, from Durham County Council's children and young people's services, said he would be keen to find some compromise to ensure that the centre could thrive and the residents could live in peace.

He said: "I don't want this to be an us against them scenario.

"I can fully empathise with the residents' concerns, but there has been substantial investment in the centre and the activities are not being fully exploited."

The application was granted with a series of conditions, including a rule that any youth with a formal warning from the county council's anti-social behaviour team should not be allowed into the centre