LATE night problems at a Great Ayton playground appear to have ended, following boundary alterations and closure of the area at night.

However, some concerns remain about younger children climbing on top of play equipment.

The area next to Yatton House and the cemetery was being misused and damaged by a minority of youngsters and vandals.

This summer, after discussions with residents and the police, the parish council decided to lower the height of a hedge, replace a wire fence and lock a gate at night. Since then, the problems seemed to have reduced.

Speaking at Great Ayton Parish Council, the clerk, Mrs Louise Holden, said a resident living next to the playground believed things had got better, but the letter mentioned an incident when youngsters had thrown soil over the playground boundary into a private garden, where a social function was taking place. The resident suggested that slanted roofs on play equipment be removed, to prevent youngsters climbing up and standing on them.

Coun Margaret Stevens, who has been locking the playground gate at 7.30pm, said the playground was tidier and there were no bottles on the ground. Most children and parents had been happy to go."

Of the soil-throwing incident, she said she had the names of the youngsters and was waiting to speak to Sgt Merritt.

The parish council heard it would cost £520 to remove all four roofs from the play equipment, but there were fears that removal would subsequently make the equipment unstable.

Coun Stevenssaid she was prepared to continue locking up until the end of the year, and that the play area would close at 5pm from the end of September. She was thanked for her work.

It was acknowledged that some parents and children felt the summer closing time of 7.30 was too early.

Two residents who live next to the playground agreed that things had improved and again thanked Coun Stevens.