AN eyesore piece of derelict land in the region has been nominated as one of the worst wasted spaces in the country.

Earlier this week BBC Radio 4 and the CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) launched a nationwide campaign to find the country's worst wasted spaces.

This followed a report commissioned by CABE which estimated 70,000 hectares of derelict and vacant land exists across England and Wales, and one of the first areas to be nominated is a piece of land in Londonderry Road, Stockton.

The land, up until about two years ago, was used as a site for a block of two-storey flats.

However, since their demolition it has become overgrown, and residents are angry nothing has been done with the area.

They claim it has become an eyesore and say with many children playing in and around the grassed area it has become dangerous.

Jim Kane, a local resident, said: "It has become a dumping ground and quite often things are set fire to on it.

"I haven't seen any myself, but other residents have said there is needles on there and quite often it attracts alcoholics. It is just dangerous. "In the local's eyes it is total deprivation. It would be a joy to see it be reused maybe if it was landscaped to make a children's play area or to become a garden."

There were hopes that bungalows could be built on the site, but with a multi-million pound investment being ploughed into nearby Hardwick that is now seen as unlikely.

Councillor Bob Gibson, ward councillor for the area, said: "We are looking at doing some remedial treatment with that patch of grass." Nominations for Britain's worst space will be featured on BBC Radio 4's You and Yours during the next few weeks, and in a month's time the winner will be announced on the Today Programme.

Anyone who would like to nominate an area of what they believe to be a wasted space whether it be a rundown park, council estate or disused factory can do so at www.wastedspace.org.uk