FAMILIES protested yesterday about travellers who have moved their caravans into a cul de sac near their homes.

They fear camp fires lit by the visitors will send up sparks and start a blaze in a plantation of fir trees at Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle.

They also claim that some of the travellers use the plantation as a lavatory and that this could lead to a serious health hazard for the estate's 130 households.

Yesterday, there were five caravans standing on the road, which has been newly surfaced to serve a small industrial estate owned by Teesdale District Council.

Ashes from a camp fire were beside them.

Tony Cooke, a member of Stainton and Streatlam Parish Council, said: "I've had complaints from local residents who are seriously worried about the fire risk and hygiene problem.

"They say they have been harassed by the travellers when they take their dogs for a walk, so they are now reluctant to go to that part of the estate.

"Caravan people used to park on rough ground here but never stayed long. But now they have a nice flat surface to park on we are likely to get a lot of them staying for weeks at a time."

But one man from a caravan on the site said the group was not causing a problem.

The man, who did not want to be named, said: "We are doing no harm. We are perfectly entitled to stop here for a while. We are not blocking the road or interfering with other traffic."

The council has blocked off many of the open spaces which travellers used to park on each summer on their way to and from Appleby horse fair, including the Demesnes, beside the Tees, in Barnard Castle.

Mr Cooke said: "We realise the travellers must have somewhere to park. But they should have safe places with proper facilities."

Sergeant Victoria Errington, of Barnard Castle police, said: "We will monitor the situation on this piece of road before deciding on any action."