VILLAGERS worried about a proposed extension to a quarry near their homes were promised the support of local councillors yesterday to prevent it causing them any problems.

The owners of the quarry, which has been producing high quality sandstone for many years at Stainton, near Barnard Castle, have stated that they would like to extend it in future.

Residents, who have protested in the past about noise, dust and traffic, fear this could make matters worse.

Members of Teesdale District Council were told yesterday that the work would be at the side of the quarry furthest from the houses and that there would be a new access some distance from them.

Pat Graham, senior planning policy officer, told the council's executive committee that the quarry had already faced a lot of local opposition.

But she said quarrying was one of Teesdale's traditional industries and that this one had been providing long-term employment in the district for a significant time, with 63 on the payroll in recent years.

Councillors agreed with her suggestion that if an extension is allowed it should be for extracting stone only and that no more processing of stone from other places should be allowed apart from what is already approved.

They also backed her suggestion that before any consent is given there should be an assessment of the impact it would have on Stainton village and on properties there.