A WATER company has decided to close off a popular picnic site and replace it with woodland, citing a history of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Carricks picnic area on the banks of the Derwent River at Derwent Reservoir, near Edmundbyers, County Durham, traditionally attracts crowds of pleasure-seekers during the summer.

But visitors have found that it has now been fenced off and trees are being grow in their place.

A Northumbrian Water spokesman said Durham County Council had given up the lease of the car par and picnic area and it had been decided to revert the area back to woodland.

The spokesman said: “We have already begun turning it into natural woodland by planting some juvenile trees.

“There a number of reasons behind the decision. The site sits in the middle of a nature reserve and people using it causes a lot of disturbance caused to otters, red squirrels and other wildlife.

“It is also not practical for us to supervise access so there are safety risks. The site was prone to anti-social behaviour, as well.

“The toilet block has been vandalised and it wasn’t practical for us to provide it.”

The spokesman added there were other facilities available at Derwent Reservoir and signs had been put up redirecting visitors.

As well as two other car parks, there is a 5.5km track suitable for disabled access.