POLICE were called to a young offenders' institution yesterday after cells were damaged.

Four inmates at Deerbolt Young Offenders Institution, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, were being interviewed by police last night and those suspected of being involved are expected to be charged.

A Home Office spokesman said: "We can confirm that there was a minor disturbance involving four young offenders.

"It was resolved safely by 9.30am and is now a matter for local police forces."

Sergeant Steven Steen, of Barnard Castle Police said: "We got a call from Deerbolt saying that there were some prisoners smashing up the cells.

"There was no police attendance for the actual incident itself, but we have some officers taking statements from the prisoners involved and I imagine there will be some charges brought about."

The disturbance comes less than a week after Princess Anne visited Deerbolt to look around the training unit.

Last year saw two of the worst disturbances in Deerbolt's 134-year history.

Regional rivalries were blamed for riots that damaged the chapel and the institution's D wing.