CAMPAIGNERS fighting proposals to move a public bench have vowed to battle on, after suffering an embarrassing setback.

Protesters called a public meeting with councillors to argue their case - but lost a crucial residents' vote on the issue, when none of their supporters turned up.

Since April, residents in The Grove, Consett, have been split over plans to move a 50-year-old seat from one side of Selby Gardens to the other side of the road.

Derwentside District Council consulted householders on the move, after receiving a petition from 25 people pleading with the authority to site the bench nearer to the street's bus stop.

But bosses at The Grove Community and Residents' Association opposed the move. They hit back with an 85-signature petition, calling for the seat to remain where it is.

They organised a public meeting with ward councillors, to give residents the chance to air their views.

But it backfired when only 17 people - mostly in favour of the seat move - turned up.

Association secretary John Hinds is refusing to accept the outcome of the meeting.

Despite losing the vote, the association has submitted its petition to the council, who will make a decision on the seat's future at a meeting on July 13.