RESIDENTS on a Darlington estate say they are plagued by youths who throw stones and mud at their windows.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said the problem had been going on for some time on Skerne Park.

"It's mainly lads, but some girls too. Kids aged from probably about 11 upwards, in groups of up to ten," he said.

"They shout things and for elderly people it's probably very frightening. They throw things at the windows; snowballs, mud, stones - anything they can get their hands on.

"It's all gone beyond being an annoyance now, it's becoming too much, it's upsetting. The police response doesn't seem to have been adequate, we just want it to stop."

Community Inspector Sue Collingwood, of Darlington police, said officers knew who some of the culprits were.

"We are aware of the complaints from residents and it is a priority area for officers patrolling the estate," she said.

"We are in the process of speaking to the young people involved, with their parents, and any action will be taken where appropriate."

She said that similar problems in the Tyne Crescent area of the estate were recently successfully tackled in a similar way.