POLICE in Spennymoor have issued a stern warning to the parents of young tearaways who are wreaking havoc on a council estate.

Large gangs of youths have been condemned for starting a series of fires on the Middleston Moor estate - and police are considering drastic action.

They say that parents of the nuisance youngsters must take greater control of them or face possible eviction from their council properties.

Acting Sergeant Stoyan Barrett, of Spennymoor police, said groups of between 20 and 30 youths had been starting fires near a children's play area, using tyres and other debris.

The blazes are said to have caused many residents, particularly elderly people, to fear for their safety.

Police are working with Sedgefield Borough Council's tenancy enforcement officials on the possibility of evicting families from the estate if their children are found to have been involved.

"There have been steps taken to identify the people responsible and we are working with tenancy enforcement officers," said Act Sgt Barrett.