SECURITY cameras are to be installed in Darlington's South Park to foil vandals.

The announcement was made at a meeting of the town's environmental forum.

Terry Collins, assistant environmental director at Darlington Borough Council, told the forum on Monday that work was due to start on a £3.9m refurbishment of the park in April.

He said: "We are aware of problems with vandalism and anti-social behaviour. We believe that this will go away when we start work because there will be an increased presence in the park. However, the council has agreed to provide CCTV in the park."

Mr Collins said phase one of the project, funded by Heritage Lottery money, would include improving the railings and gates and felling diseased trees.

He also revealed plans to relocate a landmark statue in the park.

Prudentia was installed above the doorway of the Prudential Corporation in Northgate in 1911, where it stood for many years before being placed in storage for 30 years.

In 1999, it was placed on the ground floor of the Cornmill Shopping Centre, which was then owned by Prudential.

But when the area was refurbished earlier this year, Prudentia was placed in storage by the borough council.