A GOLF club is opposing plans for a park-and-ride scheme which could involve use of its land.

Members at Durham's Mount Oswald Manor Golf Club hope to block plans which could lead to the loss of two greens and a fairway.

Among the options being considered for a proposed park-and-ride scheme in Durham is a car park and bus stop on the edge of the course, on the south of the city.

Golfers say it would mean the loss of the 17th hole, the 16th green and the tenth tee.

With no land available for expansion, the club could be faced with redesigning the course completely if a compulsory purchase order was placed on part of the site.

Secretary Gordon Cessford said he doubted if there was the need for park-and-ride facilities in that part of Durham.

He said: "It is the talk of the members. There have been some pretty strong words spoken about this plan.

"We can not for the life us work out where the people to use a park-and-ride would come from at this end of Durham. There is not the catchment for it.

"If they really wanted to go ahead, there is plenty of room on the opposite side of South Road, beside the Graduate Society, where there is existing under-used parking. That would only cost peanuts to develop."

Mr Cessford said members were signing a petition opposing the scheme.

Durham County Council said several options were being considered for park-and-ride facilities, with no final decisions yet made, although a preference had been expressed for an alternative site to the club land.

A spokesman said: "It is early days, but a full and extensive consultation on the proposals will be carried out through the early part of next year."