A Darlington councillor is urging residents to be vigilant in the wake of a Neighbourhood Watch committee's decision to disband.

Bill Stenson said he was shocked to discover that the Mowden Watch committee members had decided to step down at the end of the year.

The Mowden Watch has been regarded as the town's flagship scheme and has been running for more than 20 years. But members say they feel let down by a lack of police and public support.

Coun Stenson, an honorary committee member, said he had not been told of the decision.

"I found out about it and am just so disappointed that they are disbanding it in Mowden. I think the current members have probably been a bit hasty. A lot of members didn't know about it and will get a shock. We were the pioneers for Neighbourhood Watch, not just in Darlington, but in the country. It's a shame."

He said he hoped a new committee would be formed in the autumn to continue the work.

In the meantime, he is urging Mowden residents to keep reporting any unusual activity in the area to police.

"I think people will still be vigilant. They don't like crime in Mowden and there is a very low crime rate. To keep it like that, people need to stay alert."

Committee chairman Peter Willers wrote to police last week announcing the committee's decision to resign.

He said members felt they were wasting their time because of a lack of support from police and public apathy.

"We had a public meeting, which was well advertised, at Mowden Junior School and only 20 members of the public turned up. We have also had a problem with what we would call acceptance by authority."

Det Chief Insp Andy Reddick announced plans last month to revive Neighbourhood Watch in the town. He said he was disappointed with the Mowden committee members' decision.

"We have given our commitment to restoring Neighbourhood Watch and I think they are jumping the gun and not giving us a chance," he added.

Anyone interested in setting up a Watch should call liaison officer Jacqui Snowball on (01325) 346832