HEAVY lorries in Hutton Rudby have gouged deep tyre tracks on the village green and smashed a new footpath sign, the parish council believes.

A coal wagon has been blamed for churning up the green along nearly the whole length of North Side, leaving deep muddy trenches.

Elsewhere, a supermarket delivery vehicle is being held responsible for destroying a new sign at Middleton on Leven.

The parish council is trying to protect the edges of the green with concrete reinforcements at the most vulnerable stretches by the Spar shop and Bay Horse and Wheatsheaf pubs.

Speaking at the parish council, Coun Peter Markey said: "The damage along North Side was reported by residents who said it was done by a County Durham coal merchant's vehicle. The gouging goes well beyond the edges, which are reinforced with concrete blocks. I'm told the coal lorry went to the bottom of North Side and reversed right the way up. There is evidence of sinking and wheel spin. Quite honestly, it looks like the driver could not have cared less. In some places, the lorry has come off the green to miss hitting the lamp posts."

He expected the coal firm, CPL in Ferryhill, would query the council's allegation and ask for proof. Erosion of the green was widespread and caused by all sorts of vehicles.

"We can telephone the coal company and tell them what has happened. We've got two sets of photographs to show the damage. We know which lorry it was and when the deliveries were made. They can come and inspect it if they want. I think we should ask them to pay for the repairs."

Coun Markey said they could ask the men from Fodden's to do an estimate while the firm was working on the green.

Coun McAdams then said: "A Tesco home delivery van smashed the new wooden footpath sign in Middleton."

Coun Caroline Seymour suggested: "Speak to the county council They will put up a new sign and send the bill for the work to Tesco, if appropriate."

Mr Ian Brough, manager of CPL Distribution, said yesterday: "We have received a letter from the parish council and numerous photographs today. I think it would be more polite if we discuss this with the council first. We might have one or two comments to make as well.