TWO Leyburn town councillors met with "man-of-the-road" Mel Bird on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of re-opening the town shelter which has now been closed to the public since September.

At the town council meeting on Monday evening councillors agreed the shelter in the market place could be re-opened for a trial period if Mr Bird did not let his two large dogs lay on the benches inside, did not feed them so close to the shelter, did not (with others) sit in it all day drinking alcohol and did not abuse anyone.

The two councillors who met Mr Bird were Couns Margaret Knight and Sandra Knights. There were also two observers: Lady Bolton and Mrs Hazel Townsend.

After Mr Bird explained how some local youngsters used the shelter, it was agreed there could be a notice stating that people should not rest their feet on the benches and nor should dogs lay on them.

It was felt that, when feeding his dogs just outside the shelter, it would be cleaner if he could put the meat and gravy on to either newspaper or a plastic bag.

But Coun Knight said he was unable to give any assurance about restricting how long he spent in the town shelter drinking alcohol. Nor was any understanding reached about complaints that he had abused some local people.

The councillors decided to discuss the situation further with the rest of the council.

At the town council meeting on Monday evening Mr Keith Knight commented: 'People have been deprived of using the shelter because of him and his behaviour has been abusive.'

Mrs J White of Wensley pointed out that many local people were friendly with and accepted Mr Bird. Both she and District Coun Wendy Morton asked the council to try mediation