A ROW has broken out in a North-East town over plans to move a seat across the road.

More than 25 residents of Selby Gardens, The Grove, Consett, County Durham, signed petitions agreeing the bench should be moved near the bus stop. They said it would allow people to sit down while waiting for a bus. The move has been sanctioned by Derwentside District Council.

But Grove Community and Residents' Association secretary, John Hinds, believes it should remain where it is and that moving it would be a waste of time, effort and money.

Selby Gardens resident William Walker, 54, said: "At the minute, anyone sitting waiting for a bus has to run across a busy road to get to it.

"It is being moved for safety reasons."

But Mr Hinds said there had not been any accidents or fatalities on the road.

He said: "It has been there for 50 years and removing it is the loss of a community facility. It is used by old and disabled people to sit and have a rest, and ramblers and passers-by use it in the summer."

Derwentside District Council leader Councillor Alex Watson said moving the seat would cost about £100.

He said: "It is being moved, not removed.

"We feel that we should listened to what our residents are saying and the impression we got was that most people wanted it moved and they were supported by their ward councillors."