HUNDREDS of people are expected to attend a public meeting tonight to discuss the future of a village lane in Sedgefield.

Many residents have called for Beacon Lane to be permanently blocked off with lock-up barriers to prevent travellers stopping there illegally on their way to Appleby and Yarm fairs.

But the calls have been been rejected repeatedly by Durham County Council, which says utilities need access to the lane and that closing it will only move the problem elsewhere in the village.

The council suggested a compromise solution, which involves erecting a gate to restrict access to the eastern end of the lane and using traffic management measures to control access and contain the problem.

The suggestion was rejected at a public meeting in February because residents felt that would make the lane an "official" stopping-off point.

Leader of the council, Ken Manton, who has been heavily criticised for not backing the residents, will be attending the meeting.

In a letter to residents, he says: "While I appreciate that this solution will not remove the travellers entirely from the Beacon Lane area, I consider it to be the best compromise for the village as a whole.

"I am confident that these measures will considerably assist in minimising the inconvenience caused to residents in the village by the visiting travellers, and prevent a repetition of the problems which occurred last year."

Sedgefield Town Council, which has called the public meeting, previously backed the residents, but it is understood its position may have changed.

A spokesman for Durham County Council said: "We have heard informally from the town council that they are happy to work with us on the compromise solution that we suggested last time round."

But residents, who have been forced to withdraw a leaflet advertising the meeting on the grounds that it may incite racial hatred, are expected to remain opposed to the compromise put forward and may even consider taking legal action.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "It seems as ordinary, peaceful, law-abiding people we are unable to get support and help from those who we believe were elected and are in a position to solve this problem."

The meeting will be held in Sedgefield Parish Hall, from 7.30pm