STATELY home guardians the National Trust revealed last night why there was no way it could agree to the building of a new road.

The trust, as keepers of Ormesby Hall, on the edge of Middlesbrough, has stoutly resisted proposals for the construction of a congestion-eliminating East Middlesbrough bypass, which would cut across the grounds of the Georgian mansion.

After 30 years of debate the proposal was dropped only weeks ago, amid acrimony between Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and neighbours Middlesbrough.

The trust said last night it would aim to continue to develop a close working relationship with local councils, but had been forced to take its stand - keeping faith with the hall's last owners.

Over the years the trust emerged as the principal objector to the relief road plan.

Ormesby Hall and the surrounding land was given to the trust by the Pennyman family in 1961 for the benefit of local people, ensuring that the local area had a "green lung" close by.

Prior to the trust's ownership of the hall, the Pennyman family had agreed to give up an area of land for the building of the A174 road - but on the strict understanding that there would be no further such development.

The trust said in a statement last night that, in keeping with the Pennyman's wishes and the aims of the organisation, the trust would oppose any proposals to acquire its land for the creation of a new road.

Widow Ruth Pennyman, the last of the family to live at the hall, died in the 1980s.

Nick Dolan, property manager for Ormesby Hall, said: "Our position on this particular issue is very clear: the land was given to us to look after by a popular local family.

"We are happy to do this, and retain it as a natural site.

"We recognise, of course, the pressures to address the issue of traffic congestion, but are clear that in this instance our land ought not to be sacrificed."