A VILLAGE's nuisance problems could be solved by a "youth bunker".

Police and community leaders hope a brick shelter for teenagers will keep them off the streets of Etherley and Toft Hill, near Bishop Auckland.

Police have received many complaints about bored youngsters congregating at bus shelters and creating disturbances.

Now the village's beat officer, PC Kevin Woodcock, has urged the community to suggest designs and a location for a youth shelter. Teenagers will be invited to contribute their ideas.

John Raw, area co-ordinator for Neighbourhood Watch, is supporting the scheme.

He said: "If the kids help design the shelter, they then have some ownership of it."

The idea has won support with villagers, too.

Julia Welsh, from the Dog and Gun Inn, Etherley, said: "There is a desperate need for something like this, because gangs of youths roam around every evening. They are so bored they have nothing to do but wreck the bus shelters."