PUBLIC anger has forced organisers of a lecture by Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams to change the venue.

The controversial republican leader was to give a talk at Thirsk Town Hall in North Yorkshire next Friday.

But local protests have forced organisers of the Joan Maynard Memorial Lecture to move the event to Middlesbrough's Centre for Unemployment - a decision questioned by Teesside civic leaders.

Explaining the decision, one of the lecture organisers, Don Cartridge, said: "There was never any intention to offend or hurt particular families involved in the troubles in Northern Ireland.

"And while it has been argued that recent events in the US make the timing of the proposed visit particularly unfortunate, it must be understood that this event had been in the planning since last March.

"The committee regret that some local people will now be denied the opportunity to hear at first hand the views of someone so centrally involved in the peace process and of such political stature."

The annual event was in memory of Joan Maynard, who died at home in Sowerby in 1998 aged 76 from cancer. She was a parish and county councillor, as well as Labour MP for Sheffield Brightside.

However, civic leaders in Middlesbrough say they do not want the event to go ahead either.

Councillor Ken Walker, leader of Middlesbrough council, said: "I think many people in Middlesbrough would regard this choice of speaker as insensitive at any time.

"But in the current international situation, it is not sensible, sensitive or appropriate.

"I hope that the organisers of this event will think again, and think very quickly about what they are doing."

However, Labour MP for Middlesbrough and frontbench spokesman for Northern Ireland, Stuart Bell, said: "It is not of any concern to me if Gerry Adams, or anyone else, comes to Middlesbrough to speak."