A TOWN'S first alcohol-free zone has been declared a failure by residents who say they are still plagued by drunken youths.

Signs put up on the Easterside estate in Middlesbrough warning of a £500 fine for anyone drinking in public have failed to deter anti-social teenagers, according to community council chairwoman June Goodchild.

She is calling on police to step up their presence in the area and enforce the notices.

"We still have the glasses, we still have the cans and we have actually seen them drinking," she said.

"The residents feel let down by the authorities. We need some support and we need to make it work.

"The scheme has got no teeth at the moment. The signs on their own don't do any good. It doesn't matter if it's community wardens or police - there needs to be something to back the signs up."

Mrs Goodchild said she had driven her car through the estate one evening and counted 100 youths openly flouting the warning signs.

"They were literally sticking two fingers up at the signs. I don't want to see a kid fined £500 - that will just mean more deprivation for the parents. But without the stamp of authority on the signs it just isn't going to work."

Easterside was chosen for the pilot scheme after residents complained of feeling intimidated by youths hanging about near the shops in Broughton Avenue.

Chief Superintendent Dave Lumb, district commander for Middlesbrough police, said: "The police have supported the designated alcohol-free areas and without our support they wouldn't have gone ahead.

"The local officers are fully aware and will deal with the incidents they come across. We have and will continue to support the local community."

Middlesbrough Council said it planned to create similar zones in Coulby Newham, Kader and Brookfield.

Councillor Barry Coppinger, executive member for law and order, said: "We believe declaring areas alcohol-free is a very useful part of a strategy on community safety and public order.

"We are very grateful to a member of the community for drawing attention to her concerns about how the first alcohol-free zone is working. We have had assurances from the police that the notices will be enforced."