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

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

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

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

Officials have priced the cost of the work at about £100.

But The Grove Community and Residents' Association opposed the move, saying it would be a waste of time and money. They hit back with an 85-signature petition, calling for the seat to stay where it is.

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

But only 17 people, most of whom were in favour of the seat move, turned up.

The pro-move lobby demanded a vote on the issue to determine the association's official position, and won.

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

District council leader Councillor Alex Watson said: "This has all been blown out of proportion.

"By disputing this, they have probably wasted more than double what it would have cost to have the seat moved. It could have been in by now.