COUNCIL staff who oversaw the construction of a straw bale building have become advisors on similar schemes around the country.

The building control team at Richmondshire District Council will advise councils working on environmentally friendly developments.

The team oversaw the construction of the Clow Beck Centre, in Croft, near Darlington, two years ago. The centre was built of straw bales, which were placed on a foundation of car tyres.

Peter Bridgstock, the council's head of building control, said: "It was a very interesting project to work on. There were all sorts of complicated issues involved and many questions to answer, for example, would the building be strong enough, how long would the straw bales last, and how would it ever pass fire regulations?

"We worked hard to ensure problems were dealt with as they arose and everyone seemed happy with the result."

The team's first task will be to advise on a project in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, next year.