A SPRIGHTLY pensioner has vowed to track down a “phantom” who created a sitting area for her at the side of a country lane.

Stella Redfearn is determined to discover the identity of whoever placed a table, two chairs and other home comforts on a verge at Eggleston, near Barnard Castle.

It started after she suggested the parish council should place a bench in Balmer Lane, where she walks three times a day with her dog, Webster, so people could sit and admire the view.

First a chair appeared, with a label calling it Stella’s Throne and a note wishing her many happy hours of peace there with Webster.

On following days came the table, a second chair, cup, saucer, table lamp, two china ornaments, two solar lights, two garden gnomes, waste basket, bottle of shandy and bottle of milkshake.

As Ms Redfearn relaxed at the spot yesterday with Webster, she said: “Every morning I come now, I wonder what else has been added by the phantom.

I’m baffled.

“He or she must come in the dead of night because nobody has seen any movement. I think it’s really funny, but I’m going to do my utmost to find out who is behind it.”

Andrew Nicholson, the chairman of Eggleston Parish Council, said: “Many people think I am the phantom, but I am definitely not.

“This is causing a great deal of interest. Normally, very few people go along Balmer Lane, but now a lot from the village and other places are paying visits.”

The council will discuss whether or not to buy a bench at its next meeting.