COUNTY Durham district councils say they do not want to take part in the next phase of plans to introduce a non-emergency telephone number.

The Government has designated 101 as the number people across the country should ring to report non-urgent problems, such as graffiti, fly-tipping, vandalism, noisy neighbours, drunken rowdiness and drug-related anti-social behaviour.

The idea is that it will free 999 for emergencies, as the Government says many 999 calls are not urgent.

Five councils in other parts of the country are starting to use 101, but the Durham District Councils Forum has turned down an invitation to be in the second wave of the initiative.

The forum says it supports the principle of a non-emergency number but doubts whether it can be properly implemented at the moment.

Forum chairman Bob Fleming, leader of Sedgefield Borough Council, said: "We do not believe that sufficient time is available at present to ensure that this new service can be delivered properly and within the resources that the Government is likely to make available.

"We want to ensure that any monies available go to support identified priorities in our communities. This idea is not yet properly tested and could give rise to considerable additional costs which should not fall on the council tax payer".

Coun Fleming said a similar point had been made by Sir Michael Lyons in his recent review of local government, in which he urged the Government to provide local authorities with the money they need to properly develop and implement services.