ACTION is being taken to clamp down on anti-social behaviour at an internationally-important nature reserve.

A gate is being installed on the approach road to the North Gare, on the outskirts of Hartlepool, to bar vehicles during the hours of darkness.

It follows problems with fly-tipping, littering, general vandalism, illegal drinking by youngsters and the use of the road as a race track by some motorists.

Steve Cooper, one of Hartlepool Borough Council's countryside wardens who regularly patrol the area, known as Blue Lagoon, said: "The decision to install a gate is not one that we have taken lightly, but we felt we had to take action to protect the area, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

"We as wardens spend far too much time picking up rubbish and repairing signs and fencing destroyed on the previous evenings.

"We are assisted by a small band of volunteers, but it's not fair to ask them to do this type of work all the time.

"This whole area is rich in wildlife, including numerous species of wading birds, and flowers which need protecting.

"We do accept that some considerate people, including anglers and dog walkers, use the site on a night and we will try to accommodate them wherever possible."