ACTION is to be taken to stop rabbits causing havoc on a town's allotments.

Gardeners using Barnard Castle's Demesnes site have complained regularly to the town council, which owns the allotments, about the problem.

At Monday night's council meeting, Councillor Clarrie Watson said: "I don't know what way we can stop them.

"There have been rabbits on the Demesnes all the time I've been in Barnard Castle."

Councillor Maurice Abrahams said allotments in Raby Avenue had similar problems, until a man made regular visits in his car to shoot the rabbits.

"I now understand the allotments in Raby Avenue are free of rabbits," he said.

The council has agreed to consider hiring a professional exterminator