A COUNTY councillor has been granted an absolute discharge after a mix-up over his driving licence caused him to be stopped by police.

Durham county councillor Dave Farry, 50, was stopped as he drove along Louvaine Terrace, in Ferryhill, at 9.40pm on October 18 last year.

Newton Aycliffe magistrates heard that police checks revealed his driving licence had been revoked because it had failed to be sent to the DVLA to have points added.

Coun Farry, of Laburnum Road, Ferryhill, said he had been surprised as he had sent his licence off to the DVLA and  he was unaware it had been revoked.

He then contacted the DVLA which told him it had sent letters concerning the matter to his former address on Eldon Terrace, Ferryhill.

As a result Coun Farry, who is a member of Durham Independent Group and a Ferryhill town councillor, had not received them.

He admitted a charge of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence but was granted an absolute discharge.