A GIPSY site given six months to 'clean up its act' is still causing neighbours to complain, councillors have been told.

But the problems are considered by officials to be less serious.

In February, Durham County Council's cabinet was told that people living close to the East Howle site, near Ferryhill, had suffered theft, damage, intimidation and the dumping of rubbish and vehicle oil. Councillors were told the residents wanted the camp closed.

Residents also claimed police had recovered hand guns from the site and that officers had been instructed not to enter the site alone.

Plans for the Gipsy Council to take over site management from Sedgefield Borough Council fell through and the council appointed Stephen Freeman, who runs a site in Gateshead, to do the job.

Social services director Peter Kemp told the cabinet last week that Mr Freeman was experienced in dealing with problem sites and although complaints had continued they were less serious.

"The nature of these complaints has changed as they are no longer concerning illegal activity on the site or activities such as the burning of copper wire. The complaints have centred on the behaviour of the residents' children - the oldest is 12 - lack of repairs to the boundary fence, rubbish being dumped from the site and incidents of trespass by dog walkers.''

Mr Kemp also told councillors residents objected to Mr Freeman opening up the top of the site and had called in the Local Government Ombudsman, claiming it breached the cabinet's decision in February.

Mr Kemp said that Mr Freeman had renovated the top part at his own expense and was tackling problems such as rubbish.

He added that one resident was starting legal action in a bid for compensation for problems said to be caused by the site.

The cabinet decided Mr Freeman will run the site for a year but progress will be reviewed in six months.

Afterwards council leader Ken Manton said: "Bringing in a manager with such considerable experience will help us provide a clean and well run site.''