Two teenage members of a gang who left taxpayers with a £100,000 bill were yesterday named and shamed and banned from the areas they terrorised.

Police and civic leaders joined forces to apply for anti-social behaviour orders against the two 16-year-olds, after saying their behaviour left many villagers too afraid to leave their homes.

Magistrates in County Durham were told how the two were among a gang that waged a lengthy campaign of destruction and intimidation in South Moor, near Stanley.

Magistrates imposed two-year orders on Andrew Boyle and Shaun O'Kane, and ordered them to curb their behaviour.

Boyle, of Rydal Avenue, South Moor, is now banned from approaching the village library, community centre and some shops.

O'Kane, of Fawcett Hill Terrace, Craghead, near Stanley, is banned from South Moor.

Chief Inspector Dave Hogg, of Durham Police, said today: ''These two caused misery. The shopkeepers and villagers in South Moor were at the end of their tether.

''They had a real impact on people's lives and now we must make sure the orders are adhered to.

''If not they face a five-year prison sentence.

''These orders have proved highly effective in other parts of County Durham and we will have no hesitation in seeking more orders when resolving these sorts of issues.''

Derwentside District Council's director of public services, Mike Clarke, said it was a victory for the whole community.

In a general crackdown on anti-social behaviour the council said it sent out 40 letters to individuals with the majority calming down their behaviour but was forced to pursue court action against Boyle and O'Kane.

He said the council estimated that the total cost of repairing damage and carrying out work to prevent further vandalism plus the legal costs totalled £100,000.

On one occasion the council had to spend £9,000 building a fence round a local bowling green after the surface was torn up.

He said: ''This is the first time the council and the police have applied to the courts for the orders.

''This is an example of the council's determination to clamp down on anti-social behaviour.

''The council has taken firm action in these cases and will not hesitate to take similar action in future.

''We did not take this action just for the council but for the whole community in general.''

Anti-social behaviour orders were originally introduced in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to give police greater powers to tackle anti-social behaviour. Breaking an order carries a potential five-year prison sentence.