PRISON officers have returned a vote of no confidence in the management team at a troubled institution for young offenders.

The Prison Officers' Association (POA) at Deerbolt, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, said its members were unanimous in the vote taken this week.

Staff morale at Deerbolt is said to be at rock bottom amid rising tension at the prison.

Inmates staged a four hour sit down protest in the canteen after being told they were being refused association time to phone family and girlfriends.

Prison officers were then ordered by Governor Phil Copple to work longer hours until further notice in order to provide a full range of activities for inmates.

The move, which coincides with a staffing shortage at Deerbolt, has been challenged by the local prison officers' association.

Spokesman Mick Charlton said it was taking legal advice over concerns that officers were being given little opportunity to take time off in lieu, contrary to a national agreement.

One prison officer said: "We're having big problems. We've had to cancel gym activities and there have been more incidents of violence and fighting in recent months than I've known in years."

Deerbolt, which opened in 1973 on the site of a former Second World War Army camp, was said earlier this year by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons to provide a "decent and safe" environment for inmates.

But it was criticised for a lack of resources which left some young offenders spending up to 23 hours a day locked in their cells.

Prison governor Mr Copple is due to leave at the end of next week to take up a post at Durham's Frankland prison. A replacement is yet to be found.

A spokesman for the Prison Service said Mr Copple's second in command, John Fawcett, had been made acting governor until an appointment was made.

He said: "No one has yet been appointed to replace Mr Copple. But the recruitment process has begun and we hope it will be completed as soon as possible."