A PROTEST was launched yesterday over a plan for a village's almshouses, built for poor people, to be reduced from three to two.

More than 100 locals said they wanted the properties at Romaldkirk near Barnard Castle, County Durham, to be repaired rather than altered.

Six small cottages were built on the site of a hospital in the early 1800s after wealthy landowner William Hutchinson left money in his will.

At first, the terrace's six occupants -who had to be poor, single and aged over 60 - were allowed to live rent-free for life.

In 1962, the cottages were doubled in size and reduced to three. This year, trustees were given planning consent to increase the size again and reduce the number to two.

Tom Vlaming, deputy chairman of Romaldkirk Parish Council, said yesterday: "Though there were objections early this year, there is now a strong new feeling of protest by those who want to keep three almshouses and have them improved.

"They are deteriorating quickly. One has been empty for two years and is now unfit due to a leaking roof. The other two are in a poor state and their occupants are being put to a lot of needless worry."

He said that out of 130 locals consulted about the plans, 99 per cent were against them and wanted repairs to be carried out immediately.

The trustees, led by chairman the Reverend Peter Midwood, rector of Romaldkirk, said larger cottages were more suitable so tenants could have relatives to stay with them at times.

But Coun Vlaming said: "The original idea was to help people living alone, and there is always a need for this small kind of property. I hope the trustees change their minds."

A spokesman for the trustees said quotations were being sought from builders for the work to the cottages, and that once these were known, their future would be decided.