ANTI-BAIL hostel protestors are planning a march through a town centre to highlight their fears before an impending public inquiry.

The inquiry into the 25-bed hostel at Chester-le-Street is due to start on Tuesday, July 10, at the Red Lion pub. It had originally been pencilled in for the town's Civic Centre.

Residents opposed to the Probation Service plans will march through the town centre on Saturday, July 7, to highlight their fears about a possible increase in crime if the facility is built.

Starting at 11am at Chester-le-Street General Hospital, marchers will walk down Front Street before ending at the back of the Civic Centre where the hostel may be built.

The protest group will be holding a stall on the Chester-le-Street flea market the week before to try to raise funds for the march. The market stall will be open all day on Saturday, June 30.

Bill Dinsdale, chairman of the protest committee, also wanted to express his thanks to everyone who supported its recent fundraising car boot sale, which raised more than £200.