ORGANISERS have pledged to continue holding youth discos despite chaotic scenes when 200 teenagers were turned away from an event in the North-East.

The disco attracted 600 youngsters to Darlington's Dolphin Centre on Friday night, but only 400 could be accommodated in the venue's central hall.

The remaining 200, some of whom had been drinking, were left outside in the Market Square, where trouble flared.

Youngsters were seen urinating in alleyways and one person is understood to have pricked five others with a sharp implement, such as a pin or needle.

Police are investigating whether the implement used was a syringe.

Inspector Brian Maudling, of Darlington police, said: "More kids turned up than expected and so there were about 200 stood around outside.

"Some had had alcohol to drink and things got a bit out of hand, but it was high spirits, nothing serious.

"The disco was then finished early, at about 9.15pm."

Insp Maudling said that the incident was not on a par with the riot at a boxing match at the Dolphin Centre three weeks ago, where 40 rival fans threw chairs, tables and glasses at each other.

He said: "In relation to the level of violence, it was nothing like the boxing incident a few weeks ago.

"There were more people involved this time, but there was nowhere near the same level of violence."

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said that it was the first time there had been any problem at the discos.

"The idea of the discos is to get the kids off the streets on Friday nights. We have held them before and it's been a brilliant success. It's almost as if they have been a victim of that success.

"There were about 20 police officers at the event and they were there, on hand, and any trouble was snuffed out.

"There are no plans to abandon the discos. They have gone off without incident in the past and the kids obviously enjoy them, so we are not going to spoil the fun of the majority who behave well, because of a very small minority which cause trouble.

"We may look into holding them at a bigger venue or selling tickets in advance for future events."