PARTS of Aiskew have been labelled 'disgusting' by a parish councillor.

Coun Bob Pocklington told the parish council last week that the village had so many untidy blackspots that it was 'going down the nick.'

Weeds growing out of a wall on Aiskew Bank, the rail crossing at Bedale and rubbish outside the Manor House, where work has been going on for some time, were among the areas singled out for criticism.

Coun Pocklington also pointed to unfinished work on the former Aiskew courthouse, where planning permission was granted almost three years ago for a conversion to a private house. A hole had been made in the boundary wall to create a drive but no surfacing had been done.

Property dealer Tony Roebuck, of Masham, who bought the building in 1999, said: "I have been working solidly elsewhere and have just not had time to get on with it.

"I have chased a number of contractors to show some interest in sorting out the drive but I have struggled with it. I know someone has said something about the hedge and I will try to get it cut."

Concern was also expressed at the meeting over the apparantly worsening litter problem being experienced following the opening of a branch of McDonalds at Leeming Bar almost two years ago.