A CAMPAIGNER chained himself to a council's doors yesterday, only a week after holding a protest up a tree.

John Greaves, 34, was demonstrating against a waste transfer plant which is being built in woods at Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

He spent more than an hour chained to the front doors of Teesdale District Council, in Barnard Castle, yesterday afternoon, while fellow protestors staged a march through the town centre. He unlocked himself when council officers agreed to a meeting.

Earlier this year, the district council recommended approval for the plant, where waste from all of Teesdale will be taken to be compacted before being transferred to a landfill site.

Permission was granted by Durham County Council and tree-felling began last week.

Protestors said the site would destroy wildlife, create heavy traffic and attract vermin.

On Monday, August 4, father-of-four Mr Greaves spent more than 24 hours tied to a tree, but came down after police talked to him.

Stainton Grove Action Group has sent police a letter saying the county council has breached wildlife laws by felling trees. The authority denies the claims.

Sergeant Bob Danby, of Barnard Castle police, said last night: "The contents of the letter are being considered by us and there is a likelihood we will seek advice from the Crown Prosecution Service before deciding what action, if any, we should take."