WORK on a £30,000 children's play park has been stopped after complaints from elderly residents.

People who live in sheltered accommodation in Leadgate, near Consett, have had problems with crime and anti-social behaviour for the past two years.

It had subsided in recent months, with an increase in patrols by community beat police officers and the introduction in CCTV security cameras.

But the rowdiness broke out again a fortnight ago, when workmen began preparing land 20 metres from the lounge of Haven House on Front Street.

Youths from the village were seen shaking the fencing around the land and have pushed it over, leaving easy access to trenches three feet deep.

Residents fear the play park, aimed at under eight-year-olds, would attract older youths who would cause trouble.

The home has been burgled several times and raiders have taken two computers, a television, a telephone and the money box attached.

Residents have also been left terrified after having their windows broken by stones and golf balls.

Fred Pinder, 80, said: "They have broken mine three times and it makes you jump out of your skin.

"We want the children to have somewhere to play but it is too close as it is."

Residents formed a group and complained to Derwentside District Council for starting the work without consulting them.

The council was not obliged to do so because the proposal was deemed to be a permitted development under planning law.

The land is owned by the authority and the decision was taken by a planning officer, but the council had a rethink after hearing the residents' concerns.

Council leader Alex Watson said the park would now be sited on the other side of the field behind the home, near Leadgate Community Centre.

He said the cost of repairing the land where work has began would be insignificant.

Councillor Watson added: "The council assumed it was okay to start work, but there was a hostile reaction from residents who asked us to stop, so we did.

"They can rest assured the land will be reinstated and the park will be built elsewhere."

Police agreed to step up patrols again if youth nuisance returns.