VILLAGERS are to step up the pressure on a council leader to close a country lane.

A public meeting of more than 150 people passed a vote of no confidence in Durham County Council leader Ken Manton over the issue of Old Beacon Lane in Sedgefield village.

Residents want a lockable gate installed to close the lane to travellers, who regularly use it as a stopping point, and to reduce problems of anti-social behaviour.

Sedgefield Borough Council leader Bob Fleming has come up with a proposal to gate the lane and find an alternative, official site for the travellers.

Legitimate travellers would be able to use Beacon Lane near the time of Yarm and Appleby Fairs, until the new site is identified.

Residents group Defend Our Village Environment (Dove) is to organise a petition based on the proposal.

Mike Gibson, of Dove, said: "It's getting extremely serious and we're looking to Durham County Council to take immediate action."

Coun Fleming, who made his proposal at a recent meeting of all interested parties, said: "To me, this seems a reasonable solution, but obviously Ken Manton is finding some reason why it can't happen."

Coun Manton said the council was still reviewing its provision for the traveller and gipsy community and it was too early to make any changes.

He said that on previous occasions where a gate had been erected and locked it had been removed, but not by travellers.

Coun Manton said the issue was discussed recently by the Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership.

He said: "It was agreed by all parties present that this was neither possible nor desirable - and that there was a need not only to understand the concerns of residents living next to the lane, but also to recognise that travellers are an ethnic minority that has endured prejudice and discrimination."