A CONTROVERSIAL car boot sale has been shut down by councillors who ruled a town centre car park was not an appropriate site.

Crowds regularly flocked to the Sunday morning events at Bondgate Car Park, in Bishop Auckland, but its popularity sparked rows with nearby residents who said their quality of life was being ruined.

Many of the residents turned out in force to a meeting of Wear Valley District Council's development control committee this week to urge members to vote against the event continuing.

Paula Barker, whose home lies in the bottom corner of the car park, told councillors that access to her property was blocked every Sunday and that she had to call the council regularly to come and collect rubbish dumped over her garden wall.

Michael O'Connell, who owns building and civil engineering company, M&M Plasline, in Newton Aycliffe, is about to start building luxury flats next to the car park.

He said: "The council wants to tidy that end of the town up and I am talking about making a big investment but who would want to buy a flat that overlooks a car boot sale every week?"

Bishop Auckland Councillor Margaret Jones and Doctor Robert McManners from Bishop Auckland Civic Society also attended to speak against the boot sale.

The council had given it a licence to run for 14 weeks and, after that, organisers Noble's Amusements was told to seek planning permission.

Councillor Charlie Kay said the council needed to make the most of its assets and at the time the car boot sales started it was thought the car park was being put to good use.

"The reality has proved a little different. I think there has to be a more appropriate place to have a car boot sale in Bishop Auckland than on Bondgate car park," he said.

The committee voted unanimously against the bid.

Afterwards John Noble from Nobles Amusements said that he was disappointed by the outcome but was not surprised. He said: "I think we need to be looking for more appropriate accommodation and that is what we are going to do.''