A FAMILY has put in a request to move home - claiming they have been driven away by a gang of youths.

Brenda and Leslie Banks have lived on Auckland Road in Cockerton, Darlington, for ten years, but say that the gang's behaviour has become too much to bear.

Residents living in the area claim that up to 20 youths are responsible for under-age drinking, throwing stones and eggs at house windows, shouting and swearing, as well as becoming abusive if challenged.

Mr and Mrs Banks, who have serious health problems, feel the resulting stress is making their conditions worse.

Mrs Banks, who has a ten-year-old son, said they have applied to their housing association to move to another area.

"I am living on my nerves," she added.

"They have got no respect for anyone and it is really intimidating having them outside, not knowing what is going to happen next."

Neighbours said some youngsters lie in the road when cars approach and refuse to let them pass.

Fences and lampposts in the area have also been vandalised.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "It is terrible around here. We have to sit with the curtains open so we can see what they are doing."

But one mother feels concerned that residents in the area are overreacting to teenage behaviour.

She said: "The only people who complain are those who don't have teenage children, so they don't understand.

"The kids are just playing on their own doorstep because they don't have anywhere else to go."

Police have pledged to deploy more uniformed officers to tackle the problem.

Inspector Sue Collingwood, of Darlington Police, said: "Residents can rest assured that if this is affecting their quality of life, then we will be keen to resolve it.

"We need to work out what the kids are doing and what powers we can bring to bear.

"We urge people to report incidents so we know what is happening when."

Darlington Borough Council's street wardens are also stepping up patrols in the area.

A spokesman for the street warden service said: "When we go out, the youngsters move on.

"We will be keeping an eye on the situation and carrying out some extra patrols over the weekend."