A COUPLE say they are living in fear of gangs of youths terrorising an estate.

John and Isabella Blanchard, of Hewitson Road South, Darlington, were watching television when a concrete block was hurled at their front room window, causing £250 of damage.

"We were very lucky, but then this is not the first time things have been thrown at the house, although this is the first time anything has been smashed. We are becoming prisoners in our own house," said Mr Blanchard.

The couple say they and other people on the Firthmoor estate are plagued by gangs of youngsters as young as seven who roam the streets.

"The youngsters have been provided with a community centre, football pitches, cycle paths and skateboard parks but they still cause trouble for the people living here," said Mr Blanchard.

"The gangs are ruining it for everyone on the estate."

Inspector Eddie Bond, of Darlington police, said it had been a one-off incident, and there had been a marked improvement in behaviour on the estate.

"It won't heal overnight but the regeneration project will help matters. We are certainly not inundated with calls as we would have been five years ago," said Insp Bond.

Firthmoor is to receive £3m from the Regional Development Agency over the next five years for improvements to the community.