PUB landlords may be forced to remove a noisy extractor fan which pumps fumes into their neighbour's bedroom window.

The kit was built without planning permission on the roof of the Otter and Fish pub in Hurworth - only three metres away from David and Jane Wood's window.

After months of complaints to Darlington Borough Council, the pub has been forced to apply for retrospective planning permission.

But councillors should throw the application out all together, according to Mr Wood, who described the fan as "an industrial eyesore".

"The fan makes a terrible noise all night," said Mr Wood.

"We can never have the windows open, but the smell somehow finds its way through brick walls into our house. We can't use the garden at all in summer.

"The fan is an industrial eyesore.

The council should never have let this go up. It's been a complete fiasco."

The pub was refurbished earlier this year and plans for the scheme were submitted to Darlington Borough Council. The Woods, who live in Strait Lane, knew the scheme was going ahead - but were shocked when the 7ft-long metal fan appeared on the roof outside their house.

Mrs Wood said: "We get 24-hour noise nuisances, odour and grease emissions.

"Residents all the way up Strait Lane can hear the persistent droning and buzzing sounds."

Neighbour Don Nichols said: "I think I speak on behalf of the other residents when I say that we just want this whole business resolving.

We hope we will once again be able to enjoy a reasonable quality of life."

A council spokesman said: "The extractor fan was not included on the original scheme and so was installed without the benefit of planning permission.

"We now have a retrospective application expected to be determined at committee on December 12. Advice from our environmental health team will be sought regarding noise and odour issues."

A Punch Taverns spokeswoman said: "We have been in regular correspondence with the local resident, the environment agency and relevant authorities and are working with them on this issue."