RESIDENTS of a Teesdale market town have been told not to lock gates on public land.

Teesdale District Council has put up signs by the Upper Demesnes in Barnard Castle stating that any padlocks put on gates will be removed.

The Demesnes are managed by Teesdale District Council for residents of the town.

However, the council's head of streetcare services, Chris Tomlinson, said the council is responsible for keeping the gates locked.

He said: "There have been people taking cars on there and the ground has been getting eroded.

"Nobody has vehicle access across the Demesnes, but if someone has a genuine reason to take a vehicle across, then by all means they can come and get a key from the council offices. The rugby club has also got one.

"I'm not really sure why people are putting their own padlocks on.

"It's stopping other people getting through, including ambulances."