COUNCILLORS are demanding action at a "dangerous" spot of the River Gaunless in West Auckland before someone drowns.

The bank at a stretch of the river behind Front Street is partially eroded, and was the scene of an accident two months ago when a seven-year-old boy slipped and fell in.

The youngster, who suffered cuts and bruises, could not climb back up the bank, and was found by a passer-by who was walking her dog and heard his shouts.

Councillors in West Auckland are calling for action to safeguard the bank, but have had difficulty finding who is responsible for the land.

Wear Valley District Councillor John Ferguson said: "A lot of the bank was washed away in the recent floods. I've had a lot of concerns and fears about it from people.

"I accept the council don't own the land, but do we have to wait for some kid to drown in the river before we do something about it?

"I know it is not a public right of way, but people have used if for the past 100 years. The council should fence it off and put signs up saying 'no right of way'."

Councillor Margaret Douthwaite said she was also working for action to make the river bank safe after complaints from residents.

"I'm very concerned about the safety of the river bank, particularly where children are concerned," she said.

Dave Spence, from technical services at Wear Valley District Council, said the bank was not on the definitive map as a public right of way. There was no formal public access and it was not under the council's jurisdiction.

"We do not know who owns the land," he said.

But he said residents could apply for it to be adopted as a right of way by filling in evidence forms at Durham County Council.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said the erosion of the river bank was the responsibility of the land owner unless there was a flood defence issue or if rubbish was blocking the flow of the river