A ROW is brewing in Heysham village after the authorities stopped charity car boot events on the recreational field.

A 241 name petition has been handed in to the neighbourhood council calling for the car boot sales to be re-introduced.

But opponents claim that early morning noise and disruption caused by the car booters had prompted a flood of complaints from local residents.

Car boot organisers Gus Cochrane and Jim Stones claim the events were popular with villagers, attracted visitors to Heysham and raised money for charities.

They say it was a social event and that they always cleared up afterwards.

"We only had about six car boot sales every year and always made sure we left the field spic and span," said Gus.

"They were social, family events, the car parks were full making money for the council and we never had any complaints."

Jim added: "We collected 241 signatures from villagers including plenty from people living next to the site and they all said they were happy to have the car boot sales continue.

"When we presented the petition to the neighbourhood council they didn't even look at it

" These were charitable events that raised a lot of money for local charities."

Local city councillor, Debbie Lee, said she had written to the council to complain about the car boot sales and that the majority of people didn't want them to continue.

" They were stopped because they were setting up stalls as early as 5.30am and a lot of resident complained," said Cllr Lee.

"They were warned about starting so early but didn't take any notice and were told to stop.

The feeling in the village is that they caused too much disruption.

I wrote in a personal capacity to the council to object and I had every right to do so but the decision to stop them was not mine.

I had no say in that decision whatsoever.

"If a majority of people want them then I would go along with public opinion."