TWO businessmen are appealing to their local council to keep its promise to relocate them.

Mike Smith and Colin Mairs have been served notice by Wear Valley District Council to move their businesses from Colliery Yard, West Auckland, by July 31 because the land has been scheduled for a housing development.

Both men say that they are prepared to move, but desperately need help to find somewhere else.

Mr Smith, who has run Colliery Yard Autos, a vehicle dismantlers, for 17 years, said: "When the application for change of use was passed there was a condition attached that said Wear Valley District Council would find alternative accommodation for the existing businesses.

"So far I have been told that everywhere I have found would not get planning approval for the type of business I run.

"We have nothing against the new housing development, in fact, we welcome it. But the council should keep its promise and find us somewhere to go.

"I have already had to lay off the lad I had working for full time because I could not guarantee his future.''

For Mr Mairs, who owns Douglas Mairs and Sons, it could spell the end of a coal merchant business that has been in his family for generations.

He, his brother Jeffrey, son Jon and long-time worker John Bradley will be left without jobs if he cannot find a new location.

He said: "We have worked from this particular site for 30 years. My grandfather and father ran the business before me.''

David Townsend, head of development control at Wear Valley District Council said that the council was still trying to help Mr Smith and Mr Mairs.

He said: "There is a meeting arranged with Mr Smith on Tuesday afternoon and we are still trying to help him relocate.

"Mr Mairs has contacted our economic development section, but there is nothing suitable. If he contacts the development control team we will have a look at what he is proposing and see what we can do to help."