YOUTHS on a Darlington estate could get their own games area after residents complained to the borough council about a lack of facilities.

People living in Firthmoor protested to Darlington Borough Council after it applied for Lottery funding for a multi-activity play area for youngsters aged up to 11.

Residents said the estate also needed a facility for older children, which would tackle anti-social behaviour.

Now the authority has agreed to investigate other funding possibilities and devise a project plan with residents.

A council spokesman said: "This is something that residents particularly want locally and we plan to find out how we can access funding."

The council expects to find out in September if its bid to the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) for the facility for younger children has been successful.

The multi-activity area will be based at Firthmoor Primary School but will be available for community use.

The spokesman said: "The NOF money was targeted at kids who are not active and who we need to get active."

Martin Landers, manager of the estate's community centre, Maidendale House, said the council needed to act quickly to solve anti-social behaviour problems on the estate.

"The sad fact of life on the estate is that anti-social behaviour is often participated in by young people," he said.

"Plans for the new area at the school are lovely but it doesn't solve any larger issues. I would like to see both - something for the younger and older age groups. "

The council hopes to get £1.1m in total from the NOF for nine activity projects across the borough.