PRIVATE householders in Sedgefield borough are being discriminated against in applications for area improvement grants, according to Liberal Democrat councillors.

Ben Ord and Garry Huntington said grants which are open to improve areas around council housing estates were not being made available to private home owners.

They said Sedgefield Borough Council should allow money to go to private owners.

Coun Ord, who represents Spennymoor, said: "All of the money for improvement schemes, off-street parking etc, are for the council housing sector. Money should be set aside to cover these schemes for private owners."

One such scheme is at Kirkdale, in Spennymoor, where residents are calling for extra car parking, he said.

Coun Ord said: "I was told categorically that there is no money in the budget for private housing areas like that."

Coun Huntingdon, who represents Shildon, said: "The private householder is paying about £14.50 a week in council tax, but it seems the grant system is set up in such a way that they cannot access the grants.

"I think the balance ought to be readjusted so these things can be done in private areas as well. We feel the private householders are being discriminated against."

A council spokesman said: "We are spending money on council estates, which has been raised through council tenants' rents.

"On a wider issue, the council does have limited funds available to improve the environment outside of these areas."