A MANHUNT was last night under way for a teenager who threatened police with a 3ft long Samurai sword and who has terrorised a North-East town.

Armed officers and a helicopter were called to join in the search for the 17-year-old after he confronted officers with the sword in a home in Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

The Northern Echo can reveal that the youth being hunted is the young offender dubbed Lambton Worm Boy five years ago, after a string of crimes in Chester-le-Street.

Police last night warned people to stay indoors and not to approach the teenager as he could be dangerous - and to dial 999 if they saw him.

The drama began on Sunday night when a woman reported someone damaged her front door in Sixth Avenue, Chester-le-Street, at 9.50pm.

A police spokesman said it was believed the same person damaged the front door of a house in nearby Third Avenue.

The spokesman said: "As officers were dealing with the incident, they noticed the suspect running into a house in the town's Fifth Avenue.

"Officers went into the house where they found a teenager in the front room. He confronted them with a 3ft bladed knife, described as resembling a Samurai sword.

"The officers retreated and radioed for help and the suspect took the opportunity to run out of the back door and escape.

"Shortly before midnight, we got a 999 call from the occupier of the house in Sixth Avenue, who said she thought she had seen the suspect in the area again, carrying what was described as a metal bar in his hand."

Armed officers went to the scene and carried out a search with the help of a helicopter, but could not find the suspect.

Police also searched a house in Lambourne Close, in nearby Bournmoor - but again the youth could not be found.

The woman living in the house in Sixth Avenue - who did not want to be named - said: "The teenager came and kicked in my door. I don't know why he did it. I think he had been drinking and someone must have wound him up.

"After the police left the first time, he came back and damaged our neighbour's door.

"Police told us to stay indoors and keep the doors locked. They have been keeping a check in the street, but it really is frightening. I have a young daughter and don't know whether he will come back."

Lambton Worm Boy first hit the headlines in 2000, when he was 12, after clocking up scores of arrests for offences in Chester-le-Street.

Police said at the time he was a "one-boy crime wave" and a persistent thorn in their side, who specialised in taking vehicles without consent and stealing from vehicles.

On May 9, 2000, he brought the entire town to a standstill by hurling bricks and slates at shoppers and workers from a rooftop. One person was hurt and six cars damaged during the incident, which forced businesses to close and lasted for more than three hours.

He was given a two-year supervision order by magistrates the following month after admitting 24 offences, including assault, affray, criminal damage and taking vehicles without consent.

He was named Lambton Worm Boy by detectives after the mythical beast which, according to legend, terrorised the area around Chester-le-Street.