POLICE and security guards used crowd barriers and bollards to keep order at a council meeting amid fears of crowd trouble.

The last two meetings of Richmondshire District Council's resources committee have been abandoned in chaos after hundreds of angry protestors turned up.

Two weeks ago, more than 800 residents tried to get into the local school hall to discuss the controversial sale of land to fund a new office block for the council.

After the meeting was abandoned amid jeers, boos and swearing, council leader John Blackie had to be escorted to his car by police.

In an attempt to prevent a repetition, police patrolled outside and security guards were on duty inside the venue for the latest committee meeting, to discuss an unrelated issue.

Crowd barriers and traffic bollards were also in place on roads around Swale House, Richmond.

However, the measures proved unnecessary because only about 50 people turned up to hear councillors decide the future of council-owned playing fields and open spaces in the district.

Numbers allowed into the council chamber were strictly controlled and about 12 people were stopped from entering.

Council chief executive Harry Tabiner said: "We had been told in advance by several of our councillors that a lot of people could be expected, so we took the precautions necessary to make sure that the meeting took place."

Councillors voted in line with officer recommendations to keep control of 45 play areas, parks, sports fields and public gardens. The decision on another 14 pieces of land was deferred.