CALLS have been made to clean up a derelict office block that has become the focus of repeated attacks by vandals.

Faverdale House, on the edge of Darlington's Faverdale Industrial Estate, has been empty for a number of years.

The West Auckland Road site was recently targeted by vandals, who broke into the two-storey building, smashing scores of windows.

They also smeared excrement on the walls and damaged an alarm system inside.

Borough councillor Bryan Thistlethwaite has called on the owners of the building to take action.

Police warned that vandals are taking advantage of its derelict state to break in, but they could be putting themselves at risk.

Faverdale House was once part of a set of Government offices, before being bought a year ago by TV cabinet manufacturer Acre Products.

The firm, which has a site next door, said it had no immediate plans for the offices.

But Coun Thistlethwaite said he wanted something to be done with the block.

He said: "The borough council is working hard to make the approaches in Darlington more pleasing to the eye. This kind of building does not help us, and the question should be asked what the intentions of the owners are."

Bob Smallwood, chairman of Acre Products, said it had bought the offices with the intention of developing them, possibly for administration purposes.

He said: "We bought it because we knew long-term that we might require it.

"But we are concentrating on the production side of things, so we have no fixed plans at the moment."

Mr Smallwood said that his main concern was the continuing problem of vandalism.

Security officers were patrolling the site, and there was nothing of value inside the building to steal, he said.

Detective Sergeant Alec Francis, of Darlington police, said they had received recent reports of damage at Faverdale House.

He said: "It is wanton, malicious damage which inconveniences the owners of the property. The vandals could also be putting themselves at risk by breaking into unoccupied premises like this."