A COUNCILLOR says tearaway youths are making elderly residents on a housing estate prisoners in their homes.

Eggs and fruit have been thrown at the windows of houses in Yarm's Willey Flatts estate, and there have also been recent arson attacks on gardens in the area.

Yarm town councillor Marjorie Simpson said some of the troublemakers came from outside the town and were often drinking.

She said: "They burn garden furniture, while eggs and fruit are thrown at windows, and this happens in the early hours. Old people are too frightened to go out after dark."

Bushes on the estate have been cut back by council workers to reduce hiding places.

The headteacher of a local comprehensive school attended a recent public meeting at the invitation of residents, who were discussing problems with local youths.

Coun Simpson said police have sent 11 letters to parents about their children's behaviour.

She said the time had come for some of the youths to be made the subject of anti-social orders and curfews.

But police said there was not a problem in Yarm.

A force spokesman said: "Disturbances in the Willey Flatts area are sporadic and infrequent. That is not to say we do not treat such incidents seriously.

"We are well aware that the activities of a few can upset the lives of whole communities.

"When such incidents are reported, we immediately respond, putting in extra patrols, using both the community police team and police community support officers and deal with the problem."