PLANS to hold civil weddings at a village hotel have attracted a flood of objections from residents.

Middlesbrough Borough Council has received 19 letters objecting to an application from the Stainton House Hotel, in Stainton Village, to hold marriage ceremonies.

Its owner has just bought the property from Corus, which used it as a hotel and conference centre for directors. He is considering converting two garages into extra rooms, and has also applied for a liquor licence.

Local people claim that turning it into a wedding venue would cause problems with noise and nuisance from drunken guests and that extra traffic would ruin the tranquil village life.

In a letter to the licensing committee, which meets tomorrow, Dr Jacqui Gedney, of Glebe Gardens, Stainton, writes: "I welcome the purchase of Stainton House as a small hotel as this should ensure this beautiful grade-II listed house continues to be maintained to a high standard.

"However, I am very concerned about the traffic load and noise this new venture will create."

The hotel's owner, Norman Woodall, has already paid the authority £769.50 for a three-year licence to hold civil weddings.

They would take place in the drawing room, The Carlton Suite, which can cater for a maximum of 60.

In response to the objections, Mr Woodall told council officers that the hotel grounds could accommodate up to 30 vehicles and that the likelihood of noise disturbance would be remote, as numbers would be kept down and the hotel is surrounded by gardens.

He said that while he would consider erecting a marquee, its size would be limited. He said the prospect of evening receptions with live bands would be remote due to the hotel's unsuitable character.

A report to the committee states that the council already licenses four other premises for civil weddings and says that Stainton House Hotel complies with all the legal requirements.