A FAMILY has been forced to put their home up for sale and part with beloved pets after neighbours objected to their 40 greyhounds.

John and Jackie Kerss moved to the outskirts of Willington in October 2000.

"The main attraction was that the house had outbuildings for our dogs and we felt it was far enough away from other houses never to cause a problem," Jackie said.

But after the couple converted existing stables into kennels for 40 greyhounds, Wear Valley District Council received letters of complaint from neighbours.

Mrs and Mrs Kerss applied for retrospective planning permission but were refused because of possible noise and smell from the dogs.

Jackie, 46, said: "There was only one incident, in three months of inspections, when a bitch had puppies and they played outside for a few minutes. As for smells, that's ridiculous. We use sealed bags and a skip to dispose of waste immediately."

John, 48, said: "I've kept dogs all my life - it's a hobby passed on from my dad, Charles - but I've never had a sleepless night yet."

Daughter Joanne, 26, said at the most the dogs bark for a couple of minutes, three times a day when she attends to them.

Despite the family's claims, supported by an Environmental Health report, the council has asked them to reduce the number of dogs. David Townsend, head of development and building control at Wear Valley District Council, said: "Several residents complained so we have asked the number of dogs to be reduced to six, the recommended maximum for residential properties, by November."

John said: "It's been awful. We're trying to sell the house so we don't have to part with them all.

"Meanwhile, we have to re-home as many as we can. So far 15 have gone but I'm worried several will have to be destroyed. We race a handful but keep the retired ones as pets because we love them all."

To re-home a dog call Hobo Animal Rescue on (01388) 832570.