TWO youths who were caught after damaging the wing mirrors of 11 cars at the weekend have been ordered by police to pay for all the repairs.

The pair were arrested after a resident saw them damaging a vehicle in the Thorn-gate area of Barnard Castle just before midnight on Saturday.

The two, both aged 18, who had been drinking heavily, admitted being responsible for the damage.

They were each given an £80 fixed fine to pay under the penalty disorder procedure, with a condition that they must pay for all the repairs.

Sergeant David Wray said yesterday: "It was decided this was the best way to deal with them, as it would enable all the car owners to have their repairs paid for.

"I think it will cost over £2,000 in all. It can cost over £200 to have one wing mirror replaced, so multiply that by 11 and you can see the bill is going to be extremely large.

"If the two don't pay up within a reasonable time they will be taken to court and charged with criminal damage. That could lead to them being fined heavily as well as being ordered to pay for all the damage."

Sgt Wray said the police were grateful to a resident who saw some of the damage being done and made a prompt call, enabling officers to make the arrests.