AFTER years of cleaning up after people, a shop owner wants to block off one of the town's alleyways.

Margaret Dobinson has had to clean up human waste and broken glass from the alley she owns next to Dobinson's of Darlington bridal shop, in Grange Road.

Now Age Concern's neighbouring day care centre, Bradbury House, has applied to have the route designated a public right of way.

Age Concern preferred not to comment on the application, which is being processed by the Rights of Way Panel.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman confirmed: "Age Concern has applied for the alley to be a public right of way and we have gone through the formal process and submitted the application to the panel."

The alleyway is used by people visiting Bradbury House, and by late night revellers.

Mrs Dobinson said: "I have had to clean up all sorts of foul things after the weekends, people seem to use it as a toilet. The mess attracts rats, it is a real problem. I want to see the whole alley closed off."

If right of way access is granted, the council will be responsible for keeping the alley clean.