PROBATION service bosses have cancelled a series of public meetings about a planned bail hostel in Chester-le-Street because of the public outcry.

Officials at County Durham Probation Service had hoped to explain plans for the 25-bed hostel at three public meetings.

But they underestimated the depth of residents' feelings and admit they could not find a venue in Chester-le-Street big enough to hold all the protestors.

Probation bosses are now considering their next move in what is rapidly becoming one of the biggest protests in the town's recent history.

Probation Service spokeswoman Mary Bewley admitted they had not expected such a large response.

She said: "We have cancelled the three meetings because the number of people wanting to express an opinion on this matter is too large.

"There probably isn't a venue in Chester-le-Street big enough to hold everybody. We need a really large hall and there just isn't one.

"We anticipated a lot of interest from residents in streets near the proposals - places such as Picktree Lane and Picktree Terrace - but it's become the whole town.

"It's not unusual for people to feel that strongly about it. It's not surprising that people are really alarmed, but we would like to reassure them that we would not take people that were any sort of risk to the public. We're not sure what we're going to do now. We will probably meet representatives of the residents association on a more one-to-one basis."

Protestors' spokeswoman Pam Tweddle said: "This is a major issue for Chester-le-Street, so I'm not at all surprised that the whole town is up in arms.

"The fact that they've cancelled these meetings looks like good news for us. It shows our numbers can make a difference."

The hostel, if built, will be the only Home Office-approved facility in County Durham and will house ex-convicts, court defendants and people on probation.