WALKERS who use a Darlington park say youngsters are damaging a bowling green by playing football on it.

Children have been spotted playing on the smaller of two greens in South Park. Stakes have even been used for goalposts and there are fears the surface is becoming rutted.

One man, who did not want to be named, said he is concerned at the disrespect shown by youngsters.

He said: "I've seen kids playing football on the bowling green and I think once it starts they'll go on there with boots and have goalposts up.

"I've also seen motorbikes riding in the park during the day and nearly all the railings are down on the outside of the park.

"Kids run up and down the banks, ruining the flowers, and it must be heart-breaking for the people who try to keep the park nice."

But a spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said: "We've had no reports or complaints from anybody and we've got staff in there who are working virtually all the time.

"You get occasional vandalism in any park and we're not troubled more than any other authority, but we'll keep an extra look out this time of year."