Measures to tackle anti-social behaviour are being called for in a village after youths twice threatened to stab a man outside his home.

Maurice Howie was faced with a verbal onslaught from yobs outside his house in High Stell, Middleton St George, near Darlington, after asking them to stop throwing eggs at passing cars.

Having twice failed to get a response from the police communications centre in Bishop Auckland, he dialled 999 and officers broke up a group of youths outside his door.

Mr Howie's account was told to Middleton St George Parish Council meeting this week, and members are now to ask Darlington Borough Council and crime prevention officers for security cameras in the village square to deter loutish behaviour and catch anyone misbehaving on tape.

Councillor Mike McBride said: "It is about time Darlington Borough Council stepped up its responsibility."

Sergeant Mark Ralphs, of Darlington police, said reports of youths causing annoyance had rocketed in the village in recent weeks. He put the problems down to Halloween and Mischief Night.

He said there had been numerous complaints of children as young as nine throwing eggs and fireworks at cars, hurling mud at windows and lying in the road.

Girls and boys have also been flashing at residents in the High Stell area.

Sgt Ralphs said police had identified and spoken to four culprits and one youth had been referred to the town's early intervention team.

Parish council chairwoman Doris Jones said youths only seemed interested in drinking and causing a nuisance.

She said the village had tried to hold workshops, youth clubs and trips to the Dolphin Centre, but youngsters didn't show an interest.

"We can't afford to put activities like that on if the children of Middleton St George just want to tank themselves up with drink and drugs," she said.