PROTESTORS launched a fighting fund last night as they decided to press ahead with legal action in a bid to stop a refuse handling station being built near their homes.

They agreed to demand a judicial review if Durham County Council does not change its mind about putting the depot at Stainton Grove near Barnard Castle.

About 50 residents who attended a public meeting in their community hall were assured by a solicitor that they have a good case. They had a collection which raised £67 for the fund, and will hold various events to add to it.

Ruth Renton, co-ordinator of the protest campaign, read out a letter from lawyer Richard Buxton of Cambridge, who has agreed to act for them.

He wrote giving his opinion that the county council should have carried out an environmental impact study before awarding itself planning consent for the station.

Other residents gave their full support when she proposed that if the county still wants to go ahead they should instruct Mr Buxton to seek a judicial review.

Nobody from the county council or Teesdale District Council, which owns the site but leases it to the county, was at the meeting.

County officials have insisted that they acted correctly and that the refuse station would go ahead. It is intended to take in refuse from all over Teesdale, compact it into bales and send it to Coxhoe.

It is due to be run by Premier Waste Management, a company owned by the county.