LOCAL councillors and community leaders reacted with strong opinions when they heard important legal notices containing vital information for Tynedale residents were being published outside of the district.

Coun. Peter Jackson, leader of Northumberland Conservatives, said he would be pursuing the matter with officers at County Hall.

“This whole thing sounds like an attempt at press censorship to me. Why on earth would a council target an extremely well-read and respected local newspaper and penalise residents in the process?” he said.

“I believe this is completely wrong and will be taking this up with the chief legal officers at the county council. Public notices are an essential source of important information for residents.”

Labour councillor for Prudhoe South, Coun. Tony Reid, also vowed to ask questions on the issue.

He said: “As a councillor I would think it’s good practice for the local authority to have a good working relationship with the press.

“Even in these days of technology I still think the newspaper is one of the best means of contacting people.

“I’ve always supported the principle of advertising public notices in the local press.”

Conservative County councillor for Haltwhistle, Coun. Ian Hutchinson said: “If this is true I’m totally appalled. Once again the west of the county is getting a poorer deal from Northumberland County Council than the majority of the county.

“The Northumberland Gazette is not relevant to our area at all. The only paper that is relevant to our area is the Hexham Courant .”

Conservative county councillor for South Tynedale, Coun. Colin Horncastle said: “I had absolutely no knowledge of this but can only say it sounds completely nonsensical and needs putting right as soon as possible.”

Independent county councillor for Hexham West, Coun. Derek Kennedy said: “It is disgraceful to learn that these legal notices, which inform the public of important matters impacting on their area, are not being published through the correct channels in the relevant areas.

“I also feel very strongly that the income from these notices helps to sustain local newspapers and we should do everything possible to support and protect the local press. The Hexham Courant is part of the fabric of our communities.”

And Conservative councillor for Hexham East, Coun. Cath Homer, said communication between the council and residents was key.

“This all comes down to how the council communicates with residents,” she said.

“It has already removed all of the planning functions out of the reaches of the community over here and this decision just further blocks community involvement.

“It also flies in the face of the Labour administration’s market towns initiative which is supposedly aimed at helping the county’s market towns, and all of the businesses in them, to thrive.”

Independent county councillor for Stocksfield and Broomhaugh, Coun Anne Dale, is chairman of the authority’s audit committee. She promised to look into the matter, and if necessary ask for an internal review.