WORK on a long-awaited scheme to stop trouble in vandalism hotspots is about to begin, it was announced yesterday.

Darlington Borough Council officials said work would get under way next month on the installation of security cameras in three of the town's parks and cemeteries.

The project will see five closed-circuit television (CCTV) security cameras installed and linked to the town hall's CCTV control room, where they will be monitored 24 hours a day.

Two cameras will be installed at key locations in South Park, as part of a £3.9m scheme to restore the park to its Victorian splendour.

A further two cameras are destined for North Cemetery and another will be installed in Eastbourne Park.

The overall cost of the scheme is estimated at £118,000.

It will be the first time that parks and cemeteries in Darlington have come under security camera surveillance.

More than 90 cameras are already linked to the council's CCTV system covering the town centre, Bank Top railway station and the Firthmoor housing estate.

The cameras have had a significant impact on crime levels since they were introduced in 1994, and have been responsible for dramatically cutting car crime in town centre car parks.

Paul Baldwin, the council's cabinet member for community safety, said: "We are responding to public concerns about vandalism and safety issues. People should be able to enjoy parks unspoilt by vandals and they should be able to do so in safety.

"We are confident that the cameras will have the same level of success in parks and cemeteries as they have had elsewhere in the town."

North Lodge Park was recently awarded National Lottery funding of £265,000.

The park, which is in a deprived area of town, was chosen to receive the money because it best met the criteria laid down by the New Opportunities Fund.

The Friends of North Lodge Park are working on several projects to revive the area.