Protestors dumped their household rubbish outside a council's doors yesterday to highlight their campaign against a proposed waste transfer plant.

Their action won a stay of execution until Tuesday for the proposed site, a wood at Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

Almost 30 protestors against the siting of the plant arrived at County Hall, Durham, carrying bags of rubbish and waving placards.

Planning permission for the plant was given by Durham County Council earlier this year following a recommendation by Teesdale District Council. It is due to be run by Premier Waste Management.

Action group co-ordinator Ruth Renton said two of its members were invited to a meeting with senior council figures yesterday in an attempt to defuse the situation.

She said: "They have given a stay of execution on the wood until Tuesday morning to enable us to go to Teesdale council and enter into negotiations to find a new site.

"The county council and Premier Waste Management are keeping their line of negotiation open, but Teesdale District Council appears to have closed all of its lines of negotiation with us."

On Monday, building work on the plant was delayed due to a protest march by residents.

Campaigners now hope discussion between the authorities could result in a change of location for the plant.

A county council spokesman confirmed no work would start until Tuesday, but warned a decision still rested with Teesdale District Council.

He said: "The only people who will be talking about a possible change of site are the protestors and Teesdale District Council. If Teesdale was to come up with an alternative site, we would be prepared to work with them."

No one from Teesdale council was available for comment yesterday.