The Headland is the oldest part of Hartlepool

Fifty people attended a stormy public meeting on the Headland in Hartlepool to tell councillors they want the metal fixtures taken down.

The railings along the Town Wall footpath, in front of 41 homes, are being put up by Hartlepool Council as part of a regeneration scheme for the Headland.

The �375,000 cost is being met by North Hartlepool Partnership, using Single Regeneration Budget and National Lottery funding.

The meeting's chairman, Councillor Denis Waller, said it was unlikely that locals would get their wish and see the railings taken down.

He said: "It is a bit unreasonable to expect them to be dismantled - we would love to meet people's requirements, but it seems we will not be able to meet them all."

Conservation requirements

But council officers did agree to look at the work, to see if some improvements could be made.

The wrought iron railings - which will cost almost �1,000-a-metre to install - have been described as "ridiculous" by one councillor in Hartlepool.

John Marshall, who represents St Hilda's ward on the Headland, has criticised the plan.

The council's regeneration department said the iron railings - which will be in the original Victorian era style - will fulfil both conservation and heritage requirements.

Hartlepool Headland is the oldest part of Hartlepool and has many buildings which are in designated conservation areas.