A police operation is targeting gangs of youths who disturb the peace of residents living near a 13th Century church.

Patrols started on Monday at St Andrew's Church, in South Church, Bishop Auckland, where residents have long-standing complaints over anti-social behaviour.

Noisy groups of up to 20 youngsters regularly meet in the churchyard, leaving graffiti, vandalising graves and the church itself and throwing mud bombs and missiles at passing cars.

In some of the worst incidents, a verger was threatened and, during the October half-term, a funeral was disrupted by a noisy gang who refused to leave.

Church leaders are investigating funding for closed-circuit television cameras and other security measures after trying to persuade the culprits to leave.

Canon Neville Vine said: "We have talked to them and tried to befriend them in the hope that we can build up a relationship with them so we respect one another and the property, but it just doesn't seem to be working.

"It is a real problem for us and people living in the area.

"They leave cans and items they have used to sniff glue, the verger has been threatened and they caused a lot of distress during a funeral.

"It means that a lovely 13th Century church is being left in a bit of a mess. We don't want to turn it into a fortress and if we locked the gates, they would just climb over the walls.

"We don't want to stop people walking through the churchyard as they have done for centuries."

South Church beat officer PC James Horner urged residents to report incidents as soon as they happen.

He said: "We want to reassure people that we are actively tackling these youths who are hell-bent on causing trouble. Uniformed officers are going to be down there and we will get someone out."

To report anti-social behaviour, call Bishop Auckland police station on (01388) 603566.