ANGRY pub regulars are protesting after being denied an al fresco pint by parish councillors who ordered outdoor benches to be removed.

The tenants who run the King’s Head, in Cockfield, County Durham, were told that the two benches were on the parish-owned village green and so were unlawful.

The seating is often used by spectators watching the traditional game of quoits, which regularly takes place on the village green throughout the summer.

Andrew Pattison and his partner, Sandra Kirby, took over the pub in December last year and say that the majority of the village is in favour of the outdoor seating.

“It was there before we took over, but had to be removed because there was some trouble around the World Cup last year,” said Mr Pattison.

“But since then we have worked hard to keep the area tidy and trouble-free.

“A lot of people like coming here and sitting out and enjoying the atmosphere, especially some of the older drinkers. Taking the benches away is damaging the community.

“If we didn’t have those benches the locals would bring their own seats and sit outside and that would be much more untidy.”

Now, more than 80 regulars have signed a petition objecting to the parish council’s request to remove the benches.

“A lot of the signatures we have received have been from people living in Front Street, which is up or down from the pub, so we can’t be causing too much trouble,” said Mr Pattison.

PC Dave Williamson, beat officer for Cockfield, said: “I am aware of this issue and it is ultimately a parish council issue because the benches are on the village green.

“There have been issues of anti-social behaviour in the past and that is perhaps why the benches were taken away in the first place.”

Parish councillor and Durham County councillor Pauline Charlton said: “If the managers of the pub could guarantee that there wouldn’t be any trouble the parish council could reconsider.”