SHOPPERS are being asked to properly dispose of unwanted bottles after a gang of youths targeted a supermarket recycling area.

The police were called after the youths were seen in the Asda car park in Whinbush Way, Darlington, on Wednesday, smashing bottles.

All the bottles had been left next to the glass recycling bank.

A spokesman for the police said: "Either the bottle bank was full or someone could not be bothered to put the bottles in it, so just left them by the side.

"People who go to the effort of saving bottles for recycling must care about their environment, and I am sure they do not want to see glass strewn across a car park.

"It is not only a nuisance for drivers but can also be dangerous.

"If a bottle bank is full then please take your recycling home and bring it back another day, rather than just leaving glass bottles lying around."