A COMMUNITY meeting to clamp down on anti-social behaviour has been hailed a success.

In response to vandalism and abuse by young people living on the Bankfields Estate, Eston, the community association organised a public meeting, involving 20 local agencies, to discuss the problems.

Concerns were raised over the lack of parental control, and the high incidence of illegal motorcycling on the estate.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's lead member for community safety, Councillor Dave McLuckie, said: "The meeting was very positive. The people there agreed that it would be useful to find more things for young people to do.

"They felt that a lot of the problems were as a result of poor parental control, and that we should look at methods of making parents aware of what their children are doing."

Coun McLuckie said acceptable behaviour contracts would be used to encourage parents to control problem teenagers.

He said action would also be taken to control illegal motorcycling.

"There was a concern expressed about illegal motorcycle riding on the estate, with people coming round blind corners," he said.

"The council and the police are looking to mount an operation linked with it."

Residents resolved to reopen the local community centre as a facility for youngsters and the elderly.

They will hold further meetings to check progress made.