A "No Ball Games" sign which was forcing children to cross a busy road to reach the only remaining play area in their village has been removed.

The sign angered parents in Aycliffe Village, who said the grassed area it was placed on had been used as a play area for years.

It was placed on a green in front of Bickford Terrace, which used to have goalposts on it.

The parents said this meant children from that side of the village having to cross the A167 to reach the only remaining play area.

Councillor Billy Blenkinsopp said that although a petition had been presented to Sedgefield Borough Council requesting the sign, he felt it had not been properly collected.

He said the borough council had put the sign on land thought to belong to Great Aycliffe Town Council. After representations, the sign had been removed.

Coun Blenkinsopp said: "Sedgefield didn't have permission to put it up, it was done by mistake.

"What should happen now is that every person in the immediate area is contacted by letter asking whether or not they want the sign."

He added: "My main concern is that children need somewhere to play, and I don't want to see anyone getting injured crossing the A167 to go to the park."