SPEEDING drivers and drunken youths have turned a quiet village into a "rat run", according to villagers.

People living in Whorlton, near Barnard Castle, are calling for urgent action before someone is seriously injured or killed.

They say that hundreds of young people descend on the village at weekends, especially in the summer, to visit nearby Whorlton Lido.

The lido is a popular spot for groups of youths, and villagers say they are tired of gangs getting drunk, undressing and leaving rubbish around the area.

They say the traffic situation in the village is made worse by heavy goods vehicles using it as a short cut between the A66 and A1.

Villagers claim lorries often get stuck on Whorlton bank or on Whorlton bridge, which has been narrowed to stop bigger trucks from crossing.

Despite the work, many still attempt to cross, and earlier this year an Iranian truck driver was stuck for nine hours, blocking the road and causing delays.

Carroll Trevor, clerk of Whorlton Parish Council, said an appeal for action had been made by the council to Teesdale District Council and Durham County Council.

She said: "The general feeling among those living in the village is that enough is enough, and that 'please could something be done to stop lorries, slow down cars that come to the lido in their hundreds on fine weekends and leave at breakneck speed later on in the evenings?'. Somebody will be killed unless something is done.

"The village has become a rat-run, with drunken youths racing around half dressed and leaving condoms and used nappies around the village."

To illustrate their concerns, 95 per cent of the residents have signed a petition and presented it to Inspector Dave Allaway, of Barnard Castle Police.

Insp Allaway, who is on annual leave, attended a parish council meeting to listen to the concerns of local people. Police have recently carried out speed checks in the village.

A spokesman for Durham County Council said: "We will soon be spending £9,000 to improve road signs deterring lorry drivers from using Whorlton bridge, which has a three tonnes limit.

"We are also awaiting the results of recent speed checks by the police, which will show us if there is a problem with speeding."