COUNCILLORS in Yarm are to take a more determined stand on the environment.

A new report has been drawn up to take the town council forward on the issue.

But in the process, councillors clashed over suggestions for curbing noise nuisance.

In his report, Coun Jake Dale put noise forward as a topic for future consideration.

In particular he felt the council should look at "the protracted season for fireworks" and develop a policy for the future.

"We have to ask if the charm of the town is going to be influenced by creeping factors such as this and even if it is, it does not mean we just sit back and accept it," said Coun Dale at Tuesday's meeting.

But Coun Gwen Porter said: "Why should we try to stop people letting off fireworks if they want to?"

Chairman Liz Marsden replied: "When it goes on for three weeks that's a long time."

Coun Philip Addison said: "In other countries they use fireworks for all kinds of celebrations and here we are trying to limit ours to November the fifth."

Coun Dale said: "The council needs a view about where the balance lies on such issues. We need to be mature enough to have a position on this."

But Coun Porter insisted: "We can't tell people what to do."

And Coun Addison argued: "We can't stop or police something like this.

"We might as well put our heads on the block and make ourselves complete laughing stocks.

"If people let off fireworks it is because they want to celebrate and that is all about society."

"We don't want to be known as killjoys," said Coun Porter.

Coun Dale's environment report is part of a move to streamline the council.

He listed organisations with which the council could liaise, such as the Environment Agency, Stockton council, the CPRE and Tees Valley Wildlife Trust.

As well as noise nuisance, he also wants members to put issues such as dog-fouling, the monitoring of air quality and tree husbandry on the agenda.

He plans to attend the next meeting of the Northumbrian Water users consultative committee to raise any areas of concern.

"As a council we have been reactive in the past and we need to be proactive and prepare our views on various issues," said Coun Dale.