A COMMUNITY group says it will fold later this month because of lack of support from Darlington Borough Council.

Heighington Community Liaison Group was set up four years ago in response to problems with anti-social behaviour by youths in the village.

The group established a drop-in centre, and with encouragement from the council and police, 17 organisations joined to form the liaison group.

But group secretary, Ivor Griffiths said that despite an enthusiastic start, and continued encouragement from the police, the support from the council has dwindled.

"Gradually what happened was we were ignored by the borough council, or we have been sent letters in response to concerns putting us off," he said. For example, changes have been made to the bus routes and timetables without consulting us. Now two buses go to Darlington via different routes, but they leave the village at the same time - it is ridiculous.

"We also wanted to move the school entrance for safety reasons, but after initial support from the council, nothing was done. We are disillusioned and we feel we are wasting our time."

Mr Griffiths said the group would wind up after its annual meeting later this month, because none of its officers planned to stand for re-election.

He added that they would continue to have the support of the police via the Heighington Neighbourhood Watch Group, which meets quarterly.

A spokesman for the council denied the group had been ignored, saying: "They have several channels they can use to contact the authority. Our official channels with Heighington are through long-standing arrangements with the parish council, whose members represent the people of Heighington.

"Anyone in Heighington, no matter what grievance they want to air, can do so through the parish council, they also have a borough councillor, or they can contact the borough council direct. They have access to the borough council and they will be listened to."