A COUPLE who live at the entrance of a cemetery have demanded that the gates be locked at night to curb anti-social behaviour.

North Road Cemetery has been turned into a drink and drugs haunt, residents have said.

They have made complaints about damage to homes and cars and teenagers are drinking in the cemetery at night, and people returning home from the pub use it as a public toilet.

Christopher Casson, who lives in a house inside the cemetery gates, said: "We are intimidated so that it prevents us from leaving the house for any period of time.

"We feel like prisoners in our own home. If we do go out, we return hoping nothing is done."

They had asked Darlington Borough Council last year if the gates could be locked at night.

Initially, they were given a key but if they were away the gates remained open and it was obvious that they were out.

On one occasion, the couple went to a funeral in Plymouth and Mr Casson's wife returned home the same night just to lock the gates - a round trip of 14 hours.

However, a Darlington council spokes-man said: "As a council, we do not have the resources to employ someone to lock the gates to every park and cemetery in the borough.

"We have offered this resident the key to lock up at this particular cemetery if he wishes."