A NURSERY in Middleton St George will be allowed to expand - despite concerns.

Although it is expanding, the nursery, on the junction of Chapel Street and Middleton Lane, will have no more than 38 children on site at once.

But villagers fear existing congestion problems will get worse. Darlington Borough Council's planning committee received 21 letters of objection to the expansion, and a petition with 91 signatures.

It also received five letters of support.

Councillor Doris Jones, who addressed the planning committee yesterday, admitted she was a "piggy in the middle".

"I have got to say it is a beautiful nursery and extremely well run," she said. "But even the supporters all agree that there's a traffic problem. During the morning school run it's absolute chaos down there.

"I have witnessed mums having to walk on the road with toddlers and pushchairs, because of cars on the path. Bin wagons have had to turn back because they can't get past.

"There is a problem, but I sympathise with everyone all round."

The committee agreed unanimously to grant planning permission.