MORE than 100 people packed into a public meeting in a bid to resolve a long-running dispute about a cemetery wall.

The wall at Eston cemetery has been the subject of debate for years as local residents and councillors have tried to find a way to tastefully repair the 100-year-old sandstone structure.

Members of the public were presented with five options by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and were asked to express their preference.

The five options were:

* a total rebuild;

* a total rebuild, but in three phases;

* new stone walls;

* partially rebuilding with metal infill panels;

* replacing the wall with a steel fence.

George Dunning, deputy leader of the council, said after the meeting: "The general feeling seemed to be the same as a petition handed to me earlier this year, that people wanted the current wall to be kept and maintained. We will collate the forms and hold another meeting on the cost of the preferred option, probably just before Christmas."

MP Vera Baird and local stonemason Colin Yates also contributed to the meeting.