YOUNGSTERS who are vandalising a new youth shelter have been warned to use it or lose it.

The shelter was built in Willington last summer to provide teenagers with a place to gather as part of a regeneration of the town's park, but instead the facility is being abused.

The shelter is covered in graffiti, while underage drinking has been rife, creating a litter problem. Passers-by have been verbally abused and youngsters in a nearby play area intimidated.

This has led Willington Community Partnership, Groundwork West Durham and Wear Valley District Council to consider removing the structure unless the anti-social behaviour stops.

The graffiti will be removed and the shelter repainted, but a notice will be posted, stating that if there is no improvement by October 30, the shelter will be dismantled.

Brian Myers, chairman of the community partnership, said: "We have to take this stance for the sake of the whole community, and to show the mindless few who are hellbent on destroying what community spirit we have at present that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated."

One of the reasons that the shelter was built was to combat vandalism in the town which led to numerous shop windows boarded up and to give youths a place to meet.

Joe Buckham, of the Local Strategic Partnership, said that although popular, the shelter was not being used properly and was affecting other people in the park.

"It's very disappointing because it's supposed to be a park that is available for the whole community, but if the young people using it prevent other people from enjoying the facilities, we have got to take steps."

The shelter includes a table and seating areas, and was included in the plans for the park following consultation between local youth groups and Groundwork West Durham.

Kay Mills, senior project officer for Groundwork, said that youngsters were being given ample warning before a decision on the shelter's future was made.

"We want to make sure that the young people are given the opportunity to change around their behaviour," she said.

"We don't want to just put these youngsters out with nowhere to go, but their behaviour needs to change."