VANDALS are making a library a no go area, according to residents.

In recent weeks, Brandon Library, in Lowland Road, has been plagued by window-breaking and graffiti-scrawling vandals.

As a result, staff and users have had to put up with a boarded-up, rundown-looking building.

According to library user Elsie Tipler, 72, of Murrayfield Drive, Brandon, it looks so bad that many people think it is closed.

She has written to Durham MP Gerry Steinberg, Durham County Council's director of libraries, Patrick Conway, local councillor Ronnie Rodgers, and Durham Chief Constable George Hedges to complain.

The letter states: "My husband and I were horrified to find our library staff working in a situation that resembles the films of Beirut during their troubles.

"Before the holiday two-thirds of the huge window area facing the front had been wrecked and boarded up. The door and side windows have also been wrecked and boarded up. Many people think the library is closed and no wonder. This is happening nearly every week and nothing seems to be done."

Mrs Tipler said she fears that if the situation continues, the library will close, with the loss of an important community facility.

"We are told the big windows cost £3,000 each, and that money is going to run out eventually," she said.

"The library puts on all sorts of things for the community and it would be a big loss if it had to close. I think a lot of people are concerned about it."

Nigel Canaway, assistant director for Durham County Council's arts, libraries and museums department, said he was determined to beat the vandals.

"We are working with the police and community volunteers to remove the graffiti and the police have said they are going to put more beat officers on, particularly on a weekend," he said. "We are also thinking of introducing CCTV. We want to address vandalism positively and we are not closing libraries. We will combat it - we are very confident about that."