PLANS for a fishing lake could boost a nature reserve plagued by vandals.

The nature reserve, in Firthmoor, Darlington, has three small ponds which are unofficially used by residents for fishing.

But the Firthmoor Grasslands has been plagued by youths setting fire to grass and dumping cars. One of the ponds is dangerous for fishing because it lies near electricity cables.

Now people living in Firthmoor are drawing up plans to create a three-acre fishing lake, approved by the Environment Agency, with measures to stop vandals and illegal dumping.

The site would also provide a safe environment for youngsters involved in Get Hooked on Fishing, an angling project which aims to keep young people off the streets.

Two thirds of the lake would have fishing access, with the remaining third protected for wildlife.

A car park, landscaping and the planting of 5,000 shrubs are included in the plans.

Rob George, countryside officer for Darlington Borough Council, said: "The scheme is still in its very early stages. We haven't even drawn up the final plans yet, and we need to get planning permission and a licence from the Environment Agency."

The lake would act as a satellite centre for Get Hooked on Fishing's main regional site in Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland, which was last week granted planning permission to create two lakes and offices.

Dave Preston, of Firthmoor Community Centre, said: "It will be a great change to the whole environment of Firthmoor. Hopefully, there will be one or two chances for employment for people from the estate as well. There have been one or two problems up at the Grasslands with dumped cars, but we are drawing up plans to prevent vandalism and associated problems.