A DISUSED quarry near a tiny County Durham village has been revealed as one of the most important sites in the country for fossils.

Middridge Quarry has been described as "internationally significant" by English Nature and has already produced a number of valuable prehistoric finds.

The importance of the site came to light after a routine enquiry by local councillor Tony Moore.

He is worried about safety at the quarry and has been trying to find out who is responsible for the site.

But he has discovered that the quarry, which is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), has yielded a number of fossilised ferns, fish and reptiles.

Coun Moore said: "We have our own Jurassic Park on our doorstep - but it's got to be made safe for our children. It is a marvellous find to have this on our doorstep. I knew there were some fossils, but I didn't know it was to this extent.

"What I was trying to do was get it filled in, but I would certainly not want to do that now and stand in the way of such a significant find."

But he said: "Newton Aycliffe is expanding and there are quite a lot of new houses, and I'm concerned for the safety of kiddies first and foremost.

"So there must be some kind of fencing around the quarry and warning signs, just to deter the children, because it is dangerous."

Dave Mitchell, conservation officer for English Nature, said: "It is a site of national importance and that is why it has been designated as an SSSI.

"It is one of the few places in the country where you would be able to see this assemblage of fossils and deposits - it is very special."

The fossils are from the Permian era, about 200m years ago. It is also considered the best site in the country for fossils of four-legged animals from the era.

Recent bone finds indicate there could be more important fossils, and further survey work is to be done