GATES are to be fitted on the bus shelter in Leyburn and it will be closed indefinitely, the town council has agreed.

In July, members received a letter from the police pointing out that the building was insanitary.

A complaint was received from a retired environmental health officer who, on a visit to Leyburn with his family, found dog excrement on the floor of the shelter, a smell of urine, and empty beer and cider cans littering the floor.

Margaret Taylor, employed by the town council to clean it, said this had arisen since a man and his two dogs had taken up residence there for the past two summers.

Each week, she takes the young members of Leyburn Swimming Club by bus to Richmond pool. She said the children would not go in the shelter because of the dogs.

The councillors were told many residents had also complained.

In view of this, councillors agreed that metal gates should be fitted and the shelter closed indefinitely.

The situation will be reviewed at each council meeting.