PROCEDURES on replying to highway complaints have been changed following an inquiry about a Chilton manhole cover.

Peter Crawforth of the Chilton West Residents Association said he emailed Durham County Council's highways action line three times about a sinking manhole near a roundabout, but had received no reply.

A spokeswoman for Durham County Council said: "We have received emails from Mr Crawforth and in fairness we haven't sent a reply because he hasn't asked for one.

"However we will change the system so that replies will be sent in future, even if they are not asked for."

She said the manhole belonged to BT, which had been informed.