UP to £200,000 is to be spent on tackling anti-social behaviour in a deprived former pit village.

The William Street - A Place for Our People project aims to put an end to the yob culture that is blighting the lives of residents in South Moor, near Stanley.

It is part of the Gate It initiative, run by environmental group Groundwork West Durham.

Kath Ivens, project officer for Groundwork, said the project was looking to redesign areas affected by anti-social behaviour to remove possible causes.

One of the trouble spots is at two benches in William Street that Groundwork installed several years ago, as part of environmental improvements.

"Ironically, they are causing a problem now, because young people are hanging around there," said Ms Ivens.

Other proposals include making general landscape and building improvements, such as better street lighting.

Two consultation events will take place over the next week to find out what nearby residents and young people want to see done.

Ms Ivens said: "We will be working with young people to find out why they are hanging around and look at how we can help them, to make sure they get something out of this."

The consultation has been funded with a £10,000 grant from the Home Office's Anti-Social Behaviour Unit.

The first open day takes place tomorrow, from 3.30pm to 7pm, in Greenland Community Infant School in South Moor.

The second is specifically for young people and will be held on Monday, from 3.30pm to 6.30pm, in the Spice Bus in William Street.

Officers hope to have a firm set of plans by March, when they can start bidding for the grant funding needed to carry out the work. It is estimated it will cost about £200,000 to put everything in place.

For further details on the project, contact Ms Ivens on (01207) 693202.