PUBS in a Teesdale village are to shut during an annual carnival day to prevent a repeat of violence which marred last year's event.

The three pubs in Staindrop will close from 4pm during the carnival on Saturday, July 9.

The three publicans have taken the move voluntarily after meeting police on Monday.

At last year's event, a fight broke out at one of the village's pubs.

Police asked the landlords to close their premises for a couple of hours until the young men causing the trouble had dispersed.

Sergeant Bill Dutton said although the incident was a minor one it did detract from the success of the day.

He said: "Last year, and in previous years, the idyllic nature of the event has been spoiled, mainly by young men, from other villages and towns coming into the village, to drink in excess and be rowdy.

"Yes, people are welcome to have a drink, but the problems have traditionally started when a minority have had too much and behaved in a deplorable manner."

The event will be policed.

Morris Race, the landlord of the Wheatsheaf, in Staindrop, said: "It is a shame that a minority spoil it.

"But this is about us being proactive and doing what's best for the good of the carnival and not thinking about our businesses.

"We do get elements from different villages and to be honest they can intimidate some of the families and other people that come."

The village Spar shop will also stop selling alcohol from 4pm and the pubs have agreed that while they are open they will only use plastic glasses