DURHAM'S MP says the city's new £30m Walkergate complex could need greater policing, as more bars open their doors.

So far, only one bar, Loveshack, has been operating. But already fears have been expressed that the disorder and violence seen in North Road could spread to the development, at the back of Millennium Place and the Gala Theatre.

Other venues, including restaurants, will open in the next week or so, and eventually the complex, built by Amec with Durham City Council, will have a 3,000-person capacity.

Labour MP Roberta Blackman-Woods, who has already received complaints about late-night trouble near the Gala Theatre, spent Friday night and the early hours of Saturday "on the beat'' with police.

She said the evening was "fairly peaceful and quiet'' and praised police for dealing quickly and efficiently with any problems.

She said: "We spent a lot of time around the Walkergate complex. It is too early yet to make a judgement about what difficulties this area may produce for the police and local residents, as almost all the bars and restaurants are not open yet.''

She praised Loveshack door staff, adding: "It is very well staffed with security, which I am sure makes a big difference to the workload of the police during busy evenings. They seemed to be doing a very good job at keeping the area safe.

"I do think, however, that the complex could have been better designed, if the intention was that it should accommodate late-night partygoers.

"There are several sets of stairs and sheer drops for people to negotiate, and alleyways, which too many people were using as toilets. There is also a lack of any late-night public transport around that area and no taxi rank.''

Mrs Blackman-Woods added that she was concerned that the problems could increase when the nine premises in the development are open, which she said would "require more resources for the area to be effectively policed''.

She said the impact should be carefully monitored, but added that the majority of revellers she saw were "friendly, law-abiding, good-natured and civil, and it is right that these people are able to enjoy their evenings''.

Police say they have already stepped up patrols and that the venues in the complex have joined the city's Pubwatch scheme to help tackle trouble.