READERS of The Mail have responded to calls from an anti-litter group in Dalton.

The Dalton Community Clean-Up group hope the land behind the town's leisure centre can become a public garden.

The group's leader Tyrone Anderson said this could limit the amount of anti-social behaviour from certain youths,

The plan has prompted praise from one reader.

They said: "It is nice to see people care enough about this town to try and do something about it. The people here mocking him, and calling them cuckoo for trying to find some solution to this problem are just as much a part of the problem as the issue itself.

"Community projects like this have worked in other towns, and it could work here. Doing nothing and mocking people who try are why this is getting out of control.

"This is a group of local volunteers just trying to do their best and put it into action themselves, good on them. Thank you for caring about Dalton and trying to make a difference."

Another reader commented: "I'm so glad there are people who want to improve things and will make the effort.

"Good luck to the man trying to improve his local area."

However, one reader believes a public garden would not stop the town's issue with anti-social behaviour.

They said: "Does he (Mr Anderson) really think these idiots are going to respect the area because it's been tarted up?

"They will never pick litter up, and will carry on with their antics, no one will be there to stop them.

"It would be nice if it could be turned into something better, but it won't work."

Another reader agreed with this and said: "Completely agree, they do the same on the park in plain sight, why would they do any different in the dog walking field if it got money spent on it?

"Our one copper covering five towns/villages isn't going to be there constantly kicking them out."