PEOPLE who live near a riverside footpath want it closed to the public.

Householders, who own the land either side of the footpath behind their houses, say no one uses it.

But the Chester-le-Street Group of the Ramblers' Association wants the footpath halfway down Crichton Avenue to remain open.

A public inquiry is to be held on June 16, at the Civic Centre, in Chester-le-Street, because of objections to it being closed.

The 50-metre path leads to a woodland walkway to the A167.

Tony Surtees, of Crichton Avenue, said: "It is all trees by the riverside except on the grassed area but if you move off the footpath you are trespassing on private land. There is no real clear defined footpath there because it is not used by anyone.

"It is our land and the area is used by the residents to dump their garden waste and that sort of thing."

In the past, the route has been used by thieves during break-ins in the area. Durham County Council and Durham Constabulary is supporting a residents' application to have the path closed.

Chester-le-Street Group of the Ramblers' Association believes the right of way should remain open and is calling on people to support its campaign.