MOBILE security cameras could soon be installed in a town centre park in an effort to deter vandals who target the area.

Darlington Borough Council was awarded a £3.9m National Lottery grant earlier this year to return the Victorian South Park to its former glory.

The park has been hit by vandals in recent months and there has been concern from visitors that yobs might target improvement work if security was not improved.

The council is considering installing mobile and covert cameras to catch vandals in the act, as well as increasing the number of wardens and police patrols in the area.

A bid for more Government money to pay for a warden on a motorbike has already been submitted.

There have been severalcomplaints in recent months of young people unlawfully riding motorbikes through green areas in the town and it is hoped the a warden would be able to tackle the problem.

Councillor Bill Dixon, cabinet member for social services, said: "We are looking into ways in which we can prevent a minority of people causing a nuisance in our parks and open spaces.

"We are tackling the problem and we are committed to putting the resources into making sure a minority of yobs do not spoil the enjoyment of the majority of people who use our parks."

Meanwhile, an independent inspection team is being recruited to review the use of security cameras in Darlington.

The volunteers, who would be independent from the police, courts and the council, would be invited to give their honest opinions on developments and the expansion of closed-circuit television (CCTV). They would also be used to reassure people about the effects of CCTV on their privacy.

The council has agreed to introduce a pilot scheme with six inspectors looking at the CCTV system over a six- month period.