AN MP has given her backing to a scheme that will see police in Darlington use drones to tackle the menace of off-road biking.

This month, Darlington officers will begin to fly a small number of drones once a week as their crackdown on nuisance bikers continues.

It is hoped that the drones will help to capture images that can be used to identify individuals breaking the law and to find where bikes are being stored.

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman said: ‪"It is good to see steps being taken to address the issue, it has been a long-running problem.‬

‪"I hope this new scheme will help our brilliant local force rid the streets of dangerous off-road motorbikes."

Members of the public were given the opportunity to raise their concerns with Neighbourhood Inspector Chris Knox and his colleagues in the force in a meeting earlier this month.

The meeting saw a number of young bikers confronted by residents about the impact of their behaviour.

In response, the bikers asked the authorities to consider providing a safe place for them to ride.‬