WATER chiefs faced a grilling from angry councillors about problems caused by refurbishing pipes.

Northumbrian Water has been replacing or upgrading pipes in Aycliffe and Chilton since June of last year.

Great Aycliffe Town Council invited water company officials to a meeting to face members.

Council leader Bob Fleming said one of the biggest problems was that some roads and verges had not been reinstated.

He said: "Aycliffe Village is entering the national Britain in Bloom competition, and at the present time it might win awards for the second battle of the Somme."

David Ingle, of Northumbrian Water, said the company would be seeding grass verges, but added that there might be areas where turf could be put down in Aycliffe Village.

However, Councillor Alan Gray was one of a number of members who congratulated the company in the way it has carried out the work.

He said: "There are bound to be problems of disruption in a town like this, and if people are inconvenienced for a few months, then so be it."