A DOG owner vowed yesterday to fight on to save a public footpath from being diverted, despite councillors voting in favour of moving it.

Eileen O'Hara said she enjoyed walking her dog on the path, which runs past a waste recycling unit near her home in Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle.

She attended a meeting of Durham County Council highways committee in Stainton Village Hall to object to the diversion.

Premier Waste Management, which acts for the council, wants to move a 52-metre stretch of path so that up to ten recycling skips can be installed.

Mrs O'Hara told the meeting that there was no need for the diversion as the skips could be placed in a different position.

She said the new path route would be longer, less convenient and not as safe than the existing one.

Claudine Freeman, the council solicitor, said the diversion would now be advertised. If any objection is received there would have to be a public inquiry before a final verdict is given.

Other objections were received from Streatlam and Stainton Parish Council, which said it would cause a loss of amenity, and Stainton Grove Community Association, which felt there might be a problem of travellers using the skips.