VILLAGERS have called for lorries to be banned from the roads of a village.

Sadberge Parish Council has asked for a 7.5-tonne weight restriction on roads into the village except for access and deliveries.

Councillors made the request after feedback from residents during the adoption of a parish plan for Sadberge.

They felt there were other roads, including the A66, that lorries could use without passing through the village.

Parish council clerk Alastair Mackenzie said: "Heavy vehicles are using Sadberge, as lots of vehicles do, as a rat-run.

"The feeling of residents is that heavy vehicles should not be going through the village. It is not appropriate for a small village."

The council has asked Darlington Borough Council to look at the proposals and the issue will be discussed again in the new year.

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said: "This issue was looked at when the closure of the sliproad on the A66 was carried out.

"Ourselves, the Highways Agency and the police looked at it, and the conclusion was that it was not practically enforceable."