WALKERS using a public right of way in a Staincross wood are being told to stay away by a man with a shotgun, according to a local councillor.
Coun Harry Spence, of the Darton East ward, is working with police after regular users told him a man is trying to deter them using a public right of way through Wheatley Wood.
He said: "Since it became a right of way a few months ago, I've had reports of a gentleman with a shotgun and a man with two dogs who have been putting notices up saying it is private and walkers should keep off.
"When you are approached by a man with a gun in a wood you don't really argue."
Job Earnshaw and Bros Ltd bought the wood in 1995 and objected to the right of way at a public inquiry in February because a previous owner had made no mention of public access.
However, Peter Earnshaw from the timber company, said part of the wood is let to a man 'who does a little shooting in there'.
He said: "It's not impossible that it is this person who walkers have seen. From our point of view everybody should operate within the law and now there is a legal footpath in there and walkers have rights to use it."
Full story in this week's Darton edition.
