A TROUBLESOME telegraph pole is being moved after villagers complained it was in their way.

People in Hurworth could hardly believe their eyes when British Telecom erected the pole in the middle of the footpath outside the Methodist church.

Not only was it difficult for people in wheelchairs or with pushchairs to get by, but it caused problems with access to the church.

Hurworth Parish Council raised the matter with BT in February and last week heard the company had agreed to move it to a more suitable location.

Coun Peter Foster was full of praise for BT.

"They were very helpful," he said, "Once the person from BT came out and looked at it he said straight away that it had been put up in the wrong place.

"I am pleased because it was in the way and was just waiting for someone to walk into it."

He had received several complaints from mothers who walked their children to school, particularly those with prams and pushchairs who had struggled to navigate past the pole.

Alan Jack, property secretary for the Methodist church, also welcomed the news that the pole was to be moved.

"I'm very grateful to the parish council and Darlington Borough Council," he said.

"My main objection was that it was near the big windows of the chapel, which made it extremely difficult to clean and maintain the windows.

"I'm glad that common sense has prevailed."

A spokesman for BT confirmed that the post, which was put up to support low wires, was to be moved. She said the decision showed feedback worked.

"Wires have to be a minimum of 5.5 metres high across roads," she said, "The only way we could do this in Hurworth was to get another pole to help raise the slack."

By law, BT is allowed to erect posts where they are needed, but there is an opportunity for residents to give feedback.