VILLAGERS are urging their council to rethink plans to rip up a thin strip of tarmac and restore the village green.

Great Aycliffe Town Council has called on Durham County Council to replace the recently-laid hard standing in Aycliffe Village with grass.

But most residents living near the land, off The Orlands, want it to remain because they say it creates valuable extra parking spaces, helping to alleviate congestion on the narrow back roads.

The debate started several months ago when highways workers repairing village roads used up spare tarmac to fill the gap between the public and grassed area.

Janet Tucker, who lives next to the site, said: "Most people would be happiest if it was left as it is. It makes parking much easier.

"At the moment, about four cars can park there. If it is changed, there will only be room for two - and in a small village, parking is premium."

Great Aycliffe Town Council says the strip of land should be returfed because it forms part of the original village green that gives the neighbourhood its character.

Town clerk Mike Rice said the land - which is about a metre wide and six metres long - is shown on detailed maps as part of the green.

Mr Rice said: "We have asked the county council to remove the hard standing and reinstate it as a grassed area of the village green, as it should be.

"We would move bollards to form a clear border.

"Even with that adjustment, there would be room for parking alongside the green and, with compromise and common sense, everyone can find a suitable solution."

Sedgefield borough councillor Bill Blenkinsopp, who is a resident in the village, believes the "common sense" approach would be to leave the tarmac.

He said: "Most residents want it left alone. It is better for road users, and grassing it would just move the parking problem elsewhere.

"No one can remember it being a nice valuable piece of green, just the tatty edge between the grass and the road, so returfing it would be a waste of time and money."