A VILLAGE near Darlington has been told it will not be getting community wardens to help tackle the problem of unruly behaviour.

Parish councillors in Hurworth asked for warden patrols in the village after reports of youths lighting fires and causing trouble in woods near the community centre.

Several people attended a parish council meeting to complain about the problems, saying they felt threatened by the youngsters' behaviour.

But Darlington Borough Council, which provides wardens throughout the town, has told the parish council that Hurworth has not been identified as high priority.

Ward and parish councillor Peter Foster said people were angry with the response, especially as the village no longer has its own dedicated beat bobby.

"We asked them to do some patrolling in Hurworth and Neasham. Even if they did a patrol once a week it would help. But we were simply told 'no'. It's very, very unfair.

"We are really left on our own out here. We are part of Darlington, but we are not getting the same services as the rest of the town."

He said one man complained that youths had twice set fire to his fence. Others told of feeling nervous when youngsters gathered at Hurworth Grange Community Centre.

Villagers said a warden presence could reduce crime levels.

Mr Foster said: "We have unruly behaviour, we have litter being thrown about. We have all the same things happen to us that happen elsewhere in Darlington.

"We know the warden scheme has worked elsewhere which is why we want it here."

A Darlington council spokesman said the warden scheme was funded with Government cash based on priority areas.

"Priority areas are where the crime is and the types of crime there, such as burglary and car crime.

"Hurworth is not a priority area."

Wardens will respond to specific complaints from the Hurworth area or elsewhere in the town. Contact them on (01325) 346831 during office hours, or on 07816 820048 at other times.