A PUB landlord fears his passing trade will suffer because a new housing estate blocks access to a main road.

The Blue Bell, in Kip Hill, Stanley, has always relied heavily on passing trade from the busy Causey Road, turning off into Beamish Burn Road.

But a new housing estate at the junction of the two roads, and the decision to close the end of Beamish Burn Road, means drivers must negotiate an unfamiliar estate to get to the pub.

With no signs to direct drivers, landlord Eddie Hall claims his business will suffer.

He also fears that lorries and farm vehicles that use Beamish Burn Road will cause a danger to children on the Miller Homes estate.

Mr Hall said: "We've always done well from passing trade here because people saw the pub sign, then drove up the lane to get here.

"Now they see the sign, but many of them can't work out how to get here."

A spokesman for Durham County Council said they would consider erecting a sign, but had not received a formal request from Mr Hall.