PLANS to tackle problems caused by persistent anti-social behaviour in Eaglescliffe have been backed by councillors.

People living in Marion Avenue, Eaglescliffe, say that for the past two years they have had to put up with youngsters damaging bushes, firing ball bearings at their homes and generally causing a nuisance.

One couple returned home from holiday to find their garden had been set alight.

The problem is being blamed on a pedestrian link at the rear of the nearby Tesco store, where gangs of youngsters congregate to skateboard or ride BMX bikes.

Residents say the youngsters are often foul-mouthed and have left many of them feeling intimidated when they go to do their shopping.

Responding to the problem, Tesco built a fence and gate, but did not get planning permission - which meant it could not lock the gate.

On Friday, members of Stockton Borough Council's planning committee met to discuss a retrospective application from Tesco to allow the gate to be locked.

Councillor John Fletcher said: "If the gate is to be opened, I feel it would be sensible to allow the management to make a judgement as to when it would be appropriate to open or close it.

"Opening it during school hours might make sense during the term time, but not during the holidays."

Councillors agreed to allow the gate to remain open during store hours but closed at all other times.

The application was supported by Cleveland Police. The idea for a gate came from community police officers dealing with persistent problems at the back of the store.

In a report to the meeting, they said: "The gate was to act as a deterrent to prevent youths from using the rear of Tesco as a skate park, to the annoyance of residents living adjacent to the store.

"The police do believe that if the gate is properly installed and used then it will have a reducing effect on the problems in the area."