AN elderly couple said they have had £10,000 worth of property stolen from their farm because of the route of a footpath.

Thornton and Pat Mitcalfe are applying to have a public footpath diverted away from Kirk View Farm at Mickleton, near Barnard Castle.

They put their case to a meeting of Durham County Council's highways committee at Mickleton village hall last night after the 16 councillors had walked the path and the proposed new route.

Mr Mitcalfe, who is 74, said: "Over the years, we have had every stick of furniture stolen from the house.

"We've had stone slates taken from the roof of a building, resulting in it becoming derelict.

"We've had stones lifted from a garden wall. A new hay bob and grass cutting tractor have been taken. Four slates taken from the porch roof seemed to have been pinched to order."

He told the committee: "We have faced serious crime problems. We feel it would be better if the path was moved and the public were kept a little further away from the buildings."

The couple also said a footpath diversion would make it easier to handle their cattle and sheep.

The diversion would take a stretch of path along the side of two fields instead of across them.

Mickleton Parish Council supported the application. The only objection came from the Open Spaces Society.

The councillors voted unanimously in favour of the diversion. The details will now be published and sent to the Secretary of State, who will confirm the change or call a public inquiry.