A DRAINAGE pit in Darlington is to be fenced off because of safety fears.

One motorist, who regularly drives past the pit off West Auckland Road, near the Faverdale Industrial Estate, said: "There's a new estate on the other side of the road, which will have children living there, and there is another development planned on the old Darchem factory site.

"It's never had a substantial perimeter fence around it. There is a small danger sign at the Heighington end saying there is deep water, but that is all and really it is quite inadequate."

A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said the pit was used to drain flood water.

"It belongs to the developers and they are due to start work shortly on improving the area around it, putting in things like handrails, with a view to the council adopting it in three to six months time," she said.