AN attempt to deter nuisance conker collectors by chopping down three horse chestnut trees has been nipped in the bud.

Darlington Borough Council refused permission to chop down the mature trees after complaints of vandalism, feeling it was a drastic solution.

Last night, the bid was criticised by 17-year-old Kevin Nicholson, the town's member of the national Youth Parliament, who said that rather than chopping down trees, more dialogue was needed with youngsters.

David Burrow, the man behind the application, told the council's planning committee he felt the trees encouraged youngsters to gather in Cobden Court.

"They have damaged vehicles on a regular basis - not just to actually take items," he said.

"Probably over the last couple of years at least a dozen windows have been broken."

Council leader John Williams, who represents the Bank Top ward, also attended to ask for the trees to be chopped down.

He said: "Not only has damage been done to property and trees and other vegetation on this particular site, residents have been threatened by parents of children."

But the committee felt the problems should be solved by police and other agencies.

Councillor Cyndi Hughes said: "Clearly, this issue is of criminal damage and vandalism, and if this isn't one of the things that police deal with, it baffles me.

"Despite the very cogent argument Councillor Williams made on behalf of his constituents, we'd be uprooting horse chestnut trees all over the town."

Speaking last night, Mr Nicholson said: "In the Cobden area there's a lack of youth provision. Rather than risking their environment they should be engaging with young people.

"These days I find people are phoning the police on very trivial issues. You get three or four young people kicking a ball and you get the police."

An amendment to allow the trees to be chopped down was defeated and the planning committee voted with the planning officers' recommendations to retain the trees.