A PAINTBALLING initiative run in an area of tight security near judges' lodgings is to expand.

Challenge Events has been given planning permission to increase the paintballing games it runs to 75 days a year at woodland near Plawsworth, Chester-le-Street.

The bid originally raised security concerns from the Court Service as the area is not far from lodgings where judges stay while presiding over cases.

As a result, the area is governed by heightened security, with armed police surrounding the accommodation.

Concern had been expressed by the police that the increased paintballing could lead to more security alerts at the lodgings.