A LONG-RUNNING wrangle between residents and landowners over access to footpaths surrounding a north Durham community will come to a head this week.

Residents of Medomsley, near Consett, have welcomed a recommendation by highways chiefs that three disputed footpaths be designated public rights of way on the definitive map.

But landowners, who have contested the right of people to cross their land - citing vandalism and the worrying of livestock and horses by dogs - have branded the advice unfair.

The first route links Medomsley to just north of the Dene, the second route links the village to Allendale Cottages and the third crosses land formerly known as Derwent Pit.

The row has rumbled on for several years, with residents complaining of footpaths being obstructed with barbed wire, stiles, cow manure and gates being covered in anti-climbing paint.

They have now gathered evidence of all three routes having been in uninterrupted use for more than 20 years - qualifying them for designation.

Durham County Council's highways committee, meeting in Medomsley Methodist Church on Friday, will be urged by officers to grant the modification.

Ward councillor Watts Stelling said: "I fully support the residents in their campaign. When a landlord used the foot-and-mouth crisis as an excuse to block off footpaths with barbed wire, there was uproar in the village."

Resident Jack Pratt said: "We want the footpaths to be sorted out so people can use them without being harassed."

Leslie Rutherford, who lodged applications for two of the routes, said: "I was born in the area and used the paths as a child. For the last eight years youngsters growing up here would have not had access to these paths, which is sad. I cannot see how any of the landowners can be inconvenienced by the paths."

Peter Featherstone, who is contesting a footpath running diagonally across one of his fields, said: "I don't mind people using the path around the edge of my field, it is safer.

"The cross field path brings problems from dog walkers whose pets harass the stock and foul."

Arthur and Moira Clarke, who blocked route two during the foot-and-mouth crisis, said the path was rarely used.

Susan Tron, who breeds sports horses and sheep, is objecting to the third route. She said she had blocked the path to "maintain the tranquillity required" for her animals.