A MEETING area for young people is to be dismantled after it became a magnet for anti-social behaviour and underage drinking.

The circular, hollowed out area, known locally at ‘the Lambrini ring’, is on land near the former Lingfield Farm Countryside Centre.

Independent Middlesbrough councillor Michael Hudson said the area was being used by young people for drinking alcohol and drug taking.

Middlesbrough Council has now carried out work to flatten the area in an attempt to resolve the problem.

Coun Hudson said: “After listening to concerns from residents that there were anti-social behaviour problems on a regular basis in this particular area in Coulby Newham, I thought there could only be one solution to solve the problem and that would be either to remove the ring altogether or flatten it.

“It is been a problem area for some time and recently we have had the additional issue of grass in the area being set on fire.

“Many residents affected by the anti-social behaviour will have been more than happy to see the JCB arriving to flatten the Lambrini ring and get rid of what has been a magnet for anti-social behavior.”