RESIDENTS of a troubled Darlington estate have spoken of their horror after a group of teenagers were caught kicking a hedgehog around in the street.

The animal died in the incident in Nightingale Avenue, which was made subject to the town's first dispersal order last year.

Resident Susan Clark caught two teenage boys kicking the hedgehog around like a football on Saturday night.

"They are sick for doing something like this," said Miss Clark, 43.

"I was upstairs at about 10.30pm when I heard a noise outside.

"We are used to having big crowds of kids hanging around, so I looked outside and noticed two lads behind our garden hedge.

"Two girls further down the path were egging them on, and I thought they might have been having a play fight or something.

"I went outside to have a look, but I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"One of the lads was just about to give the hedgehog one last kick when I got there.

"I really had a go at them. It was only a little animal - I was so shocked that they could do that.

"I phoned the police and they told me to get in touch with the RSPCA, but there isn't much they can do about it now.

"Hopefully, the people who did this will see this story in the paper and think twice about what they've done.

"It is horrendous."

Darlington Borough Council enforced a dispersal order on the street to stop teenage gangs from gathering late at night and committing anti-social offences.

The rule gives the council's community wardens the power to move on any potential trouble makers.

The order expires at the end of this month.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: "This was a despicable act of wanton cruelty and it should not be tolerated.

"We would appeal to anyone with information to contact us."

The RSPCA cruelty and advice line can be contacted on 0870- 5555999.