COUNCILLORS are poised to take action to prevent drunken youths causing misery for villagers.

Teenage drinkers loitering in the water park in Middleton St George, near Darlington, have become a cause for concern for the parish council.

Councillor Doris Jones said last night she had requested efforts to tackle the problem be considered at a council meeting next week.

The problems have mainly been reported on Friday and Saturday nights.

Coun Jones said there had been recent cases of youngsters indecently exposing themselves to residents whose homes back on to the park area.

"We have problems with anti-social behaviour and we are quite concerned about it," she said.

"It is seriously affecting the quality of people's lives. People can't walk about the water park like they used to.

"It usually starts from about 6.30pm. There have been cases of them flashing at people and it is indecent behaviour that people should not have to put up with.

"They are not all kids from Middleton St George, although some are from the village.

She said: "It's horrendous, the damage that is done with empty cans and beer bottles."

Coun Jones is hoping maintenance work on trees in the area will give the culprits no hiding place and give police the chance to catch them.

"It is a nature reserve and that is obviously something we have to protect, but there is undergrowth we can cut back, thin out and weed out," she said.

"I'm just wanting the parish council members' permission to spend a bit to tackle this."

Coun Jones is also hoping the authority will write to Durham Police's chief constable about the problem.

Earlier this month, Middleton St George residents were assured that the village would be included in a long-running campaign against anti-social behaviour.

The police crackdown will include targeting shops that might be selling alcohol to youngsters, in partnership with trading standards teams.