ANTI-bail hostel protestors are planning a march through a town centre to highlight their fears before the impending public inquiry.

The inquiry into the 25-bed hostel at Chester-le-Street is due to start on Tuesday, July 10, in the Red Lion pub function room. It had originally been planned for the town's Civic Centre.

Residents opposed to the Probation Service plans will march through the town centre on Saturday, July 7, to highlight their fears about a possible increase in crime if the facility is built.

Starting at 11am at Chester-le-Street General Hospital, marchers will walk down Front Street before ending at the back of the Civic Centre where the hostel may be built.

The Planning Inspectorate called the inquiry following the district council's decision to refuse the Probation Service planning permission.

Following a public outcry, council planners threw the plans out, but County Durham Probation Service appealed against December's decision.

The Probation Service says it wants to use Chester-le-Street as a test case to prove that local authorities cannot refuse planning permission on the grounds of a public fear of crime.

It also says a bail hostel is necessary to ease the burden on hostels in Teesside and Newcastle. If it loses the public inquiry it is determined to build it elsewhere in County Durham.

The protest group holds a fundraising stall on the Chester-le-Street flea market on Saturday, June 30. Group chairman Bill Dinsdale said a recent car boot sale raised more than £200.