CAMPAIGNERS braved the cold to protest against plans for a £25m academy school.

Consett Green Spaces Group (CGSG) wants Durham County Council to drop plans to build the proposed academy at Belle Vue, in Consett, saying it should go on the Genesis site, formerly home to Consett Steelworks.

Members gathered to make their case at Belle Vue on Sunday, January 3, despite the snow, building snowmen and waving placards.

Karen Brown, from CGSG, said: "The group cannot see the logic in using this green site which will not only see the loss of playing fields, but less leisure and public facilities in Consett.

"Plans have revealed that the new leisure centre will be smaller than the one we already have and that knocking down the Civic Centre and Civic Hall will also mean the loss of a much-loved entertainment venue in the town."

The academy would replace Consett Community Sports College and Moorside Community Technology College and be co-sponsored by the council and a Durham University-led consortium.

It is part of a planned £45m regeneration of Consett, which supporters say would be the best thing to happen to the former steel town for 30 years.