RESIDENTS hope the demolition of a former school will reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.

Demolition work is due to start on Springfield Primary School next week, nearly two months after it shut.

The abandoned school was closed at the end of the Easter term when pupils moved to the multi-million pound Education Village.

Since it closed, the building has attracted scores of teenagers who have vandalised the school.

On Thursday night, fire crews from Darlington were called out to attend a blaze started by youths setting fire to piles of rubbish.

It was about the 15th time firefighters had been to the school since the closure, and for residents, it was the final straw.

They are angry about the anti-social behaviour of youths trespassing on the school grounds, including drinking, taking drugs and having sex.

They have also said the youths are harassing residents, urinating against fences and throwing stones at houses.

Jane Allen, who lives near the school, said: "It is just getting worse. It is getting completely out of hand."

The teenagers had previously congregated near the Nightingale Avenue shops.

Mrs Allen added: "I don't think knocking it down will have an effect. It is just becoming a place to chill out now. But the sooner the better."

Steve Donnelly, fire brigade district manager, said firefighters have also been abused when they attended incidents.

He added the incidents were taking them away from other duties.

He said: "This is totally counter-productive."

Acting Inspector Penny Taylor, from Darlington community inspectors, said: "The beat officers are fully aware of the situation and have making high-visibility patrols.

"The school is due to be demolished. It will take a couple of days to sort out."

Patrols would continue to monitor the problems around the school once demolition was finished.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said: "Security arrangements at the site are the responsibility of the contractors.

"Extra fencing is to be put up to ensure that the whole of the demolition site is enclosed, and there are two security guards on duty outside office hours.

"Asbestos is now being removed from the site and demolition work is due to begin next week."