VANDALS who went on the rampage at the weekend smashing school and shop windows have sparked calls for a public meeting.

Residents of Willington are being urged to attend a meeting next Tuesday night to discuss ways of tackling vandalism.

The chairman of Willington Community Partnership, Councillor Brian Myers, said last night enough was enough and it was time that something was done.

He said: "It is hard enough trying to attract new businesses, but when shops are boarded up it is just impossible.

"The pizza shop, which is on the zebra crossing, had only just put new double-glazed windows in last week and now it has a smashed window and door."

Police believe that drunk youths are responsible for the latest attack on high street shops and Our Lady and St Thomas' RC Primary School.

But Coun Myers said it was not only the high street that was being destroyed.

He said: "We have spent a lot of money on the park to try to regenerate the area, but it is looking dreadful.

"There are sculptures in the park that have been vandalised and the youth shelter is covered in graffiti.

"The town's football club has also been nearly put out of business time and again by vandals.

"This meeting is about trying to get people to take pride in the town. We want as many people as possible to be there."

Coun Myers said that extra help will soon be on the way when Wear Valley Street Wardens take to the streets in Willington, but said the meeting was still important because the situation needed to be discussed.

Police sergeant Dave Ashton, who has been discussing the problems with Coun Myers, said he would be at the meeting at the Resource Centre in the High Street at 7pm.

He said: "We have actually called the meeting to try to reassure people that something is being done.

"We have already done extensive house-to-house inquiries and have knocked on people's doors but we need people to come forward with information. We need their co-operation.''