SCORES of youths are gathering in a Darlington park at night and causing a nuisance, drinking alcohol, taking drugs and being rowdy.

A meeting of Whinfield Residents' Association was told that people were alarmed by the large numbers of youngsters from all over town who regularly congregate in Springfield Park.

Jenny Chapman, assistant to Darlington MP Alan Milburn, said it was the biggest problem of its kind the town had seen and should be a priority for action to stop the nuisance.

Residents told the meeting that they regularly found syringes and empty alcohol bottles in the park and felt threatened by the youths' behaviour.

Association chairwoman Eileen Shepherd said: "We, as a community, are very concerned. For the people who live around this area this is a great threat. It is the size of the group.

"I just feel that at this time of year that park is not for youngsters on an evening. I would question why they are there."

Another woman, who asked not to be named, said: "We know exactly what they are doing and it is not just alcohol.

"I'm just waiting one morning for the police to find a kid lying dead because of an Ecstasy tablet."

Antony Sharp, Darlington Borough Council's supervising warden, said there had been reports of more than 100 youngsters gathering in the park at a time.

It is believed that teenagers from across Darlington are arranging to meet at the park using text messages and emails.

Mr Sharp said a survey of children in the area was being carried out to find out why they were targeting the park as a meeting place.

"There is some money available for activities," he said.

"But in order to get the funding, we need to find out what the kids want."

Uniformed warden patrols are to be stepped up in the park and youth workers will visit to talk to the youths.

PC Steve Brown, of Darlington police, said youngsters were gathering there because they were bored.

"I think it is a division-wide problem around Darlington that there is not much for kids to do," he said.

The association pledged to donate £300 towards activities for youths.