COMPLAINTS about military manoeuvres at the Croft motor racing circuit will be discussed at a meeting between the operators and the local authority this month.

Residents were angry after the MoD was given permission to use the track, near Darlington, for a helicopter exercise earlier this year.

They said large Chinooks were hovering, taking off and landing yards from their homes, sometimes with loads or vehicles slung under them.

At a meeting on Tuesday, local councillor Jane Parlour persuaded fellow members of Richmondshire District Council to raise the issue with circuit managers at a meeting on Friday, April 23.

However, her suggestion that the authority should seek legal advice on what action it could take was defeated.

Council leader John Blackie said calling in lawyers would be costly and possibly premature.

He said: "Planning permission permits use of the site for taking off and landing of aircraft. To seek any sort of independent legal advice on an issue that is so unequivocal would be a complete waste of public money."

A report on alleged breaches of a legal agreement by the circuit was also noted and discussed behind closed doors.

The council has already said there was insufficient evidence to prove a breach during meetings on December 28 and January 17, or from car parking on the perimeter road on December 28.

The meeting also noted that the Local Government Ombudsman decided not to pursue a complaint that the council failed to monitor noise at the track.