TALKS on ways to ease the number of heavy goods vehicles using a road in Shildon have been held between residents and council officers.

People living off Spout Lane met Durham County Council highways officers yesterday to try to find a solution to their concerns over noise and air pollution.

They feel that even with double-glazing in their homes, the drone of the lorries can still be heard through the night, and they are less inclined to leave their windows open or sit in their gardens.

Shildon and Newton Aycliffe county councillor Tony Moore said the meeting with the council's engineer, Steve Foster, and traffic manager Andrew White had been very positive.

"The traffic manager is going to complete a comprehensive report and meet with police and everyone concerned. He'll be looking at the restriction issue and getting in touch with the companies whose vehicles are going through in the early mornings, evenings and at night."

The residents were so fed up two weeks ago they installed their own spy camera to record the amount of heavy goods vehicles using the road - about 180 each day - and the times.

Coun Moore said there were also concerns about the heavy traffic coming through Middridge, near Shildon, which the highways report would also consider