RESIDENTS are hoping a three-year battle over a village green will end after a two-day public inquiry.

People living in Rumby Hill, Crook, say land adjacent to their homes has been used as a place of recreation for people living in the village and surrounding communities for more than 20 years.

They say it was at the heart of village parties and people used it for walking dogs or would sit and admire the views from a seat that was in the centre of the green.

The residents wrote to Durham County Council in 2001 applying to register the land as a village green after it was fenced off and public access was stopped.

An objection was filed against the application, disputing the claims that the land had always been used for village activities. Members of Durham County Council's Licensing and Registration Committee voted for a public inquiry last September.

The inquiry has been set for June 23 and 24, at the Civic Centre, Crook.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said people living in the area had fond memories of activities on the land following the demolition of houses that were on the site in the 1950s.

He said: "Everybody you talk to around here always thought it belonged to the council.

"Wear Valley District Council would maintain the area and cut the grass.

"As far as we are concerned it is public land which should be used as a village green for members of the community.

"We are not doing this because we want to claim the land for ourselves, we are doing this for the community so everybody can continue to enjoy using the land.''

Wear Valley District Council yesterday confirmed that it had cut grass on the land at some time over the years.

A spokesman for the council said: "We will not be involved in the public inquiry unless we are asked to take part as witnesses."