WORRIED pensioners who objected to a grim reminder of their own mortality from opening on their doorstep have lost their battle.

Elderly people in Joicey Gardens, in Stanley, had objected to the plans to open a funeral parlour at the end of their street.

They collected a petition complaining about the "negative psychological impact" of building a Co-op funeral parlour near their homes.

But planners have dismissed the concerns and given the Co-op permission.

One resident, Eunice Barker, 70, had complained that the funeral service with its constant parade of coffins and hearses would be too close to Stanfield House, a county council old peoples' home. She said the plan "made her nervous".

But neighbour Maureen Storey was more concerned about the amount of traffic the plan would bring to the quiet streets near St Andrew's Church.

She said: "We'll see how this turns out, but the traffic can be horrendous as it is."

Derwentside District Council has granted Northern-Eastern Co-op Funeral Services permission to knock down the abandoned Auto garage and build the funeral parlour, which would have a number of garages and resting rooms.