RESIDENTS are calling for an end to a long-running row which has split a dale's parish council.

Members of the public sitting in on a stormy session of Stanhope Parish Council this week complained that the meeting had been a shambles.

Stanhope resident Frank Burdis said: "The situation is getting worse instead of better. They cannot agree on anything and nothing is getting done.

"I wish they would sort themselves out, but they have dug themselves into a hole and they can't get out."

The dispute went public in July when the council passed a vote of no confidence in chairman Tom Martin, claiming he had not implemented a decision taken in June to sack clerk Val Ward.

Now, nine members who attended two controversial meetings are being investigated by the Standards Board for England and Mrs Ward is waiting for an employment tribunal to determine her claim for wrongful dismissal.

A preliminary hearing has already ruled in her favour, agreeing with her contention that she was employed by the council and not paid to supply a service, as some members had claimed.

Wednesday night's council meeting followed a finance meeting to discuss next year's budget, which was held in private.

A reporter from The Northern Echo was turned away by Councillor Richard Mews and residents said they had not been told the meeting was taking place.

During the second meeting, members were unable to discuss the parish plan because details are stored on Mrs Ward's computer.

They learned that documents relating to allotments are also held by the former clerk.

Councillor Kathleen Hutchinson, from Eastgate, said: "If we don't get the parish plan back we are wasting our time and the time of the people we represent."

Councillor Harry Irwin said: "We need to make progress with the parish plan. It is important to get Quality Status. But we also need to pay the clerk a proper salary because we don't get it if we don't do that."