AUTHORITIES in Darlington are working to tackle boy racers who have targeted the town’s new multi-storey car park.

Darlington Police and Darlington Borough Council have received complaints concerning the Feethams car park on Beaumont Street.

The pay on exit 24-hr car park was opened in February in a bid to meet rising demand for parking spaces in the town centre.

In the months since, it has been targeted by boy racers whose antics have been disturbing those in the vicinity.

The motorists are believed to be taking advantage of vehicles being able to enter and leave the car park without charge within 15 minutes.

Darlington Borough Council (DBC) is now working with a security company in an effort to resolve the issue.

The majority of complaints have been lodged by staff at the nearby Houndgate Townhouse hotel, where guests have been frequently disturbed by noise..

After complaining to Darlington Borough Council and the police, director Natalie Cooper was invited to meet with council officers and says the authority is now making a concerted effort to improve the situation.

She said: “Since the meeting a couple of weeks ago, the council have come up with some solutions and things have calmed down in the last fortnight.

“Before that, we had many boy racers who had a free run and there was a lot of noise from that .

“We had complaints from our guests which we highlighted to the authorities.

“We’re happy that they’re coming up with solutions and trying to sort it out.”

A spokeswoman from DBC said 24-hr CCTV was in place, adding: “We are aware of the issue with boy racers and are working with a security company to try and solve the problem.”

Sergeant Louise Guest from Darlington Police confirmed officers had investigated complaints and dispersed boy racers but said the issue had settled in recent weeks.