VILLAGERS have taken to the streets to campaign for a 20mph speed limit.

People living in Close House, near Bishop Auckland, are also calling for weight restrictions to stop heavy lorries and other large vehicles travelling through the narrow streets.

Adults and children took to the streets this week carrying 20mph speed limit signs to highlight their campaign which is being spearheaded by councillors for the village, Chris Foote Wood and Dorothy Burn.

Coun Burn said: "Big trucks have to mount the pavements just to get past. Parents are locking their front doors so that their children cannot get out to play on the front street."

Geoff Hunt, who has lived in the village for 13 years, said that the rendering on his house is in need of replacing.

He said: "It really needs doing but I am not going to render the house. The homes are built on clay and when the heavy wagons go past it shakes them to the foundation."

Coun Foote Wood said that the most important aim of the campaign is to get a 20mph speed restriction in place.

He said: "The parish council has been petitioning them (county council) for three years and still nothing is being done. They have simply refused.''

A Durham County Council spokesperson said a speed table had already been placed in the village but comments from villagers were being taken into consideration."