PEOPLE in Spennymoor think their town centre is a dump, according to a survey.

More than 1,500 homes were visited by members of the local Conservative Party to gather residents' views on the state of the area.

Among the concerns which were highlighted by the survey were: a lack of police on the streets, the behaviour of young people, the growth of drug abuse, and drugs paraphernalia littering the streets. But four times as many people cited the state of the town as their biggest concern, describing it as a "dump" and an "absolute disgrace".

They also felt Bishop Auckland and Shildon were receiving preferential treatment and greater resources.

About 20 shops stand empty in the town centre, most of them in the precinct.

Several people have reported seeing rats in the town centre during the day.

Efforts to attract more stores into Spennymoor have been made through a forum set up by Sedgefield Borough Council and the London-based owners of the precinct, but so far little has changed.

The town's Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate, Fiona McNish, said the strength of feeling was disturbing.

"It is difficult to find a Spennymoor resident who is satisfied with the town's progress," she said.

"Spennymoor often gets overlooked. Complaints of a lack of police presence and drugs apply to any urban area, but almost everyone in the area said the town centre was a disgrace."

Ms McNish said a general agreement was needed on what action should be taken to improve the town centre.