An order to ban the public from accessing a lane in Workington town centre at night has been approved.

Allerdale council's executive is pressing ahead with plans to install gates at each end of the lane next to Subway and Argos, off Murray Road, after an increase in criminal damage and needles being found in the area.

On Wednesday it agreed to make a Public Spaces Protection Order, which is necessary to install the gates.

The legal order would ban the public from accessing the lane when the gates are shut, with a fine of up to £1,000 if breached.

However when discussing the proposal, councillors did not consider a new plan to demolish the building currently housing the county council's adult social care and children's services, which forms part of the back lane.

Applicant Mr Byers has asked permission to demolish the buildings on New Oxford Street to turn the site into a public car park with 54 spaces.

A spokesman for Allerdale council said: "The executive had to consider the situation regarding the alleyway behind Murray Road as it is at this time. The planning application regarding the site next to the alleyway was not considered at the meeting. To have done so could have risked pre-determination of the application. Moreover, even if planning permission is granted, this does not necessarily mean that the development will go ahead and the issue in the alley needs to be addressed now."

The cost of installing the gates, which would be up to 10ft high, would be split between Workington Town Council and Allerdale council, with each paying £2,000.

Maintenance of the gates is expected to cost £600 each year and insurance about £56 each year.

Shopkeepers would be in charge of opening the gates in the morning and closing them at night to prevent youths from gathering there.