RESIDENTS have voiced their objections over plans for a festival which would see more than 7,000 bikers descend on Teesdale in September.

Teesdale District Council's licensing sub-committee will decide whether or not to give permission for the Stormin The Castle festival, which would take place in a field in Streatlam, near Barnard Castle from September 5 to 7.

The three-day event has previously been held at Witton Castle and would attract motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country.

But the council has received 10 letters from worried residents who say that the festival would be too noisy and would make the roads around the site busy and dangerous.

The festival, which is in its 18th year, would have an area for bike demonstrations, two music stages, a fairground, food and drink facilities and an area for traders.

The fields around Streatlam are popular locations for large-scale events, and already host agricultural shows, truck shows, country and western festivals and steam fairs.

In one letter, Peggy Kingston, from Streatlam, said: "I ask the council to consider very carefully before making a decision on this application - it is very unjust to be overrun with thousands of people and bikes with the accompanying noise which ensues."

Jim Coxon, organiser of Stormin' the Castle, said the festival would bring benefits to Teesdale.

He said: "When we had it at Witton Castle a lot of the overflow trade went to Bishop Auckland, but I think that will be felt more in Barnard Castle and Staindrop.

"The roads will be a little busier, but we have a designed the entrance to the site so that we won't have cars queuing on the road.

"We have done this for 17 years and we have a history of no trouble at the event."

Neither the police, the fire service or environmental health made any representation in respect of the application, which will be considered by the council's licensing sub-committee on Monday.