PROBLEMS with noise and mess left by a travelling community led to a public meeting in Bishop Auckland.

Residents joined councillors on Monday night to express their anger about problems with travellers camping close to their homes.

Several travellers camped at the riverbanks near Batts Terrace last month, leading to to complaints to town councillor Sam Zair.

They were concerned about noise and mess from generators and horses, people being scared to walk by the river and children racing horses through the town centre.

People living in nearby Coundon and Leeholme have also been concerned about similar problems.

It was suggested that Bishop Auckland followed Barnard Castle, which set up an authorised travellers' camp site away from residents. Coun Zair said: "I arranged this meeting because we need to come up with some kind of prevention plan to stop this happening again next year.

"The residents were very patient during the whole time the travellers were there and I want to keep them informed of the council's plans."

One resident said: "It's an absolute disgrace that these people are given loos and support from the council using tax payers' money when all they do is create a nuisance.

"We don't want them near our properties again. It used to be a beautiful walking area before they arrived."

Durham County Council's travel liaison officer, Scott McInally, said: "The reason the travellers are here in the first place is because they attend an annual memorial drive in the North-East.

"I am going to work together with Wear Valley District Council, the police and representatives from the traveller community to find a solution."

Tom Carver, head of public protection for Wear Valley Council, said: "We can try to prevent the travellers from accessing the land next year by securing gates to the area, but there is no guarantee that even if we take these measures that they will leave."