A ROW has broken out over plans to move a seat from one side of the road to the other.

More than 25 residents of Selby Gardens, The Grove, Consett, signed a petition agreeing the bench should be moved near to the bus stop.

They say people could then sit down while waiting for a bus. The move has been authorised by Derwentside District Council.

But The Grove Community and Residents' Association secretary John Hinds said it should remain where it is and that moving it is a waste of time, effort and money.

Selby Gardens resident William Walker, 54, said: "At the minute anyone sitting waiting for a bus has to run across a busy road to get to it.

"The bench is being moved for safety reasons."

Mr Hinds said: "It has been there for 50 years and removing it is the loss of a community facility. It is used by old and disabled people to sit and have rest and ramblers and passers-by use it in the summer."

Derwentside District Council leader Alex Watson said moving the seat would cost about £100.

He said: "It is being moved not removed. We feel that we should listen to what our residents are saying and the impression we got was that most people wanted it moved."