LOTTERY representatives visited Darlington yesterday to consider whether the council should receive a grant to improve the once prestigious South Park, which has become rundown and vandalised.

The heritage lottery fund is expected to make an announcement about the application early next year.

Yesterday's visit was discussed by the council's environment scrutiny committee on Tuesday, during talks on parks and open spaces.

Mr Terry Collins, leisure services manager, said he hoped for good news about the application in February or March. He claimed there had been outstanding progress in tackling bad behaviour in parks.

"During the summer, our staff worked with the police to monitor the parks and work with youngsters. The results were outstanding and vandalism was reduced significantly. We need to get into the hot spots and tackle the bad behaviour, rather than simply move kids on," he said.

"Parks are for youngsters to enjoy themselves in. If you chase them off housing estates, you must have somewhere for them nearby, which they can use and respect. The majority of kids in Darlington behave and don't cause any problems," he stressed.

On park security and supervision, he said: "The council cannot be there all the time but a friends' groups could let us know what is going on."

He hoped a residents' group could be formed to look after South Park's interests and said: "We recently held quite a lively meeting with other park groups. They have been very successful and can apply for funding which might not otherwise be available."

l Elsewhere in the town, there had been problems with ball games on housing estates. Ill-feeling had arisen between some residents over signs forbidding football. While older residents requested signs, parents and youngsters opposed them, Mr Collins said.

He questioned whether the signs, which cost £200 each, were effective when there were no bylaws banning football.

Coun Roderick Francis felt money would be better spent elsewhere. "Children take no notice of signs. I would rather they played than got involved in vandalism," he added.

Some councillors thought signs were good deterrents, despite the cost