HURWORTH Parish Council has adopted a new policy for settling what has become known as the "Orpen Affair", but will not yet reveal what it is.

Public and press were invited to the council's meeting on Tuesday night, but were excluded while a decision was taken.

Villager Gary Orpen had threatened to sue the council and Hurworth Community Association because of what he claimed was persistent anti-social behaviour at Hurworth Grange Community Centre.

Mr Orpen lives at Hurworth Cottage, next to The Grange, and the council's previous policy, offering him a stretch of land, was withdrawn after public opposition.

The council said it made Tuesday's decision in private due to the legally-sensitive nature of the discussions. Its legal representative Luke Swinhoe, of Darlington Borough Council, was in attendance.

A letter outlining the new policy was due to be sent to Dickinson Dees, Mr Orpen's solicitors, with the details expected to be made public when Mr Swinhoe has finalised its wording.

Councillor Peter Foster, the parish council chairman, said the matter should now proceed rapidly.