A GOVERNMENT Act to expand rights of way in the countryside could spell trouble for farmers and lead to vandalism, councillors in a ru-ral community have warned.

Members of Teesdale District Council are worried that the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, which will map out areas where the public has new rights to walk and take part in outdoor activities, could cause friction between ramblers, landowners and farmers.

The Countryside Agency is preparing draft maps for the entire country, which has been split into eight areas, but the new access rights will not come into force until 2005.

The agency is carrying out public consultation in Teesdale later this year.

But during a full meeting of Teesdale council, some members said the changes could bring problems for people dependent on the land in Teesdale.

Councillor Richard Betton, who is also a hill farmer in Middleton-in-Teesdale, said: "This is an important issue and it must be right and I hope that this authority takes a big role in this.

"As you know I'm a farmer and the countryside is the farmer's shop floor and it is essential that this council is involved in drawing up this map."

There were also fears raised about people causing damage to drystone walls and even stealing some stone.

Councillor Newton Wood said: "I can see an increase in the theft of stone from walls on land in Teesdale.

"There have been examples of that already in Teesdale and I can see more of it happening. I just hope we can put some controls in to protect farmers."

Durham County Council will run the access forum for the Teesdale area, which will look at issues created by the legislation.