A WOMAN says Darlington school pupils are using her garden as a shortcut.

Kathryn Fisher, of The Causeway, has complained to Eastbourne Comprehensive School about pupils using her garden as a route to and from school.

She says that for several months large groups of children regularly climb over her fence and walk across the bottom of her garden.

Her house backs on to a playing field near to the school and gives pupils coming from the Red Hall area quicker access.

Mrs Fisher said she had spoken to the pupils but many were abusive.

Despite several calls to the school and a visitor from a school representative the problem remains unresolved.

She said: "I was told that the school had been given a cash award to improve security and that they would use some of that to stop kids coming into my garden but nothing has been done. There is a security fence around the school, but they can get to the field through my garden and over my fence without touching the security fence."

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said: "We are aware that there is a problem. We are going to cover the fence with anti-vandal climbing paint and we are hoping that will stop pupils climbing over the fence."