A PIG farmer is raising a stink - by planning to open a garage next to a controversial motor racing circuit.

Residents claim the noise from Croft Circuit, near Darlington, is already unbearable during race meetings.

Now they fear the circuit's influence is spreading, with proposals to create a garage and repair workshop on an adjoining site.

Ian Wilson, of Moorhouse Farm, Dalton, is planning to abandon pig production in the face of falling agriculture prices, and use one of the pig sheds to house the workshop.

An original application for planning permission stated that the garage would be used for saloon and sports cars.

Under amended proposals Mr Wilson said there was no arrangement to repair or maintain vehicles used on the circuit and all vehicles would be silenced to road-use levels.

Campaigners against noise levels from the circuit fear that if the workshop is given the go ahead it will leave them facing disruption even when the circuit is not in use.

Residents have already been angered by Richmondshire District Council's decision to drop legal action against Croft over noise levels.

Jane Wright, of the Autodrome Action Group, said: "We see this as another way for the circuit to spread out beyond its boundaries.

"There is obviously going to be more traffic, and garages do make a noise when the engines are revving.

"Our concern is that on a quiet day for the circuit it may not be a quiet day for the garage and that will affect people living nearby."

The circuit now operates three quiet weekends over the summer and eight over the winter, when no activity takes place.

Dalton Parish Council has also objected to the proposal, claiming that it is "merely a ploy to cover the steady expansion by stealth of the activities of Croft Circuit, which are already a terrible blight."

But Mr Wilson said the garage would be housed in a purpose-built pig unit which was fully insulated, helping eliminate noise from the workshop.

A Richmondshire District Council spokeswoman said their environment unit's assessment considered the building would not provide adequate insulation.

But she said if extra sound-proofing was carried out, the noise could be reduced to acceptable levels