CAMPAIGNERS are planning an auction night as their next step in a battle to stop a refuse depot near their homes.

Lots will go under the hammer to boost a fighting fund set up at Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, to pay campaigners' legal fees.

Many residents have offered services, such as gardening, baby-sitting and ironing, to be auctioned at the Jersey Farm Hotel, Barnard Castle, on Friday, October 31.

The event will include a quiz, disco and raffle.

The fund received £315 from a fun day organised by Patsy Prewitt on Sunday.

That donation took the total to more than £800 towards a target of £2,000.

The campaigners have appointed a solicitor, Richard Buxton, of Oxford, who specialises in environmental and public law, to handle their case.

He has instructed a barrister to apply for a judicial review into the way Durham County Council was given planning consent for the depot.

Campaign co-ordinator Ruth Renton said: "Even if we do not get a review, we will continue the fight.

"We believe the refuse station will be a health hazard as it will be near more than 100 houses. There are plenty of other far more suitable places for it."

Durham County Council and Teesdale District Council have said the correct planning process was followed and said the depot will be built.

The protestors said that if they win their case and get their legal fees back, they will use the money to improve the local environment