RESIDENTS who claim a park has been turned into a no-go zone by drunken youths are calling for the installation of security cameras.

People in Whinfield, Darlington, say Springfield Park is overrun on an evening with youngsters from all over the town, who drink, take drugs and make noise.

A recent public meeting heard that a play area for small children was regularly littered with smashed bottles and syringes.

Now, Whinfield Residents' Association is asking Darlington Borough Council to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the park, to deter the gangs.

One woman, who asked not to be named, said: "The glass is smashed all over the play area. You can't take your children there and that's our biggest worry. It's a no-go area now for families."

A council spokeswoman said the authority was considering CCTV in the park.

She said: "There is a report which will be going to cabinet very shortly.

"We are aware of the issues and we are working hard to find a solution. We hope to have some positive news in the near future."

A family on Darlington's Firthmoor estate have also requested cameras on their road.

A community safety meeting heard that the family from Westminster Road, who were not named, were having trouble with relatives

Ian Thompson, chairman of Firthmoor Community Partnership Board, said the male householder told him the problem had been ongoing for some time.

He said: "It is getting more and more serious. A window has been put through and now his wife's car has been petrol- bombed. It's really starting to escalate into a big problem."

Council tenancy enforcement officer Graham Carter said police were dealing with the situation and uniformed warden Becky Hesletine said she would step up patrols in Westminster Road.