RESIDENTS are being asked to help pay towards the cost of extending a security fence in Yarm designed to protect them from thieves and vandals.

Earlier this year, the town council installed a 50-metre wooden fence between the Rookery and the residential area of Hawthorn Grove, after a request from residents.

They said that it was needed as protection against thieves and vandals using the riverside woodland area to access their properties.

The authority also worked with Stockton Borough Council to establish a walkway, known as Jubilee Walk, aimed at steering walkers away from the blurred boundary.

However, retrospective planning permission stipulated that the wooden fence had to be replaced by a 1.8m high, wire mesh fence before the path could be opened.

During the town council meeting, councillors discussed the option of extending the fence after residents raised further concerns that it was not long enough.

Councillor Phillip Addison said: "I think we should extend the fence length to more than 50 metres because at the moment it is just encouraging people to go around it. If we take it up the bank it will be more solid. I propose we extend it to 75 metres."

Coun Peter Monck added that residents living near the Rookery had said they would reconsider helping the town council when the total cost for the work had been identified.

A vote was taken and all councillors agreed to extend the length of the wire mesh fence to 75 metres and that the Clerk Peter Woods would write to the residents asking for a contribution towards the fence cost of £1785.93.