A CONTROVERSIAL "pub ambassador", who was appointed to improve the fortunes of dales landlords, called time on his job before it started, The Northern Echo has learnt.

Len Alderson, who was appointed as the £15,000-a-year Mine Host co-ordinator for Weardale, in County Durham, in February, resigned on the morning the project was officially launched last month.

His bosses at Wear Valley District Council were unaware of his decision until after the launch, and Mr Alderson went ahead with the high-profile ceremony, at Eastgate's Horsley Hall hotel, even talking enthusiastically to the media about plans for the 16 pubs under his wing.

Soon after he was appointed to the part-time post, Mr Alderson, 52, hit the headlines when he was suspended for apparently suggesting some Weardale drinkers and landlords disliked "incomers".

He was quoted by The Daily Express as saying: "In some places, there is still almost an animosity to any outsider coming in, which is a real problem to get over. Some people do not want the tourists. They don't see outsiders as a source of revenue, they see them as a problem."

He was reinstated after an council investigation accepted he had been misquoted by the newspaper article.

Yesterday, Mr Alderson did not return The Northern Echo's calls. His work has been taken over by Jackie Donnolley, project officer for the council's Market Town Initiative.

Bob Hope, the council's regeneration director, said: "He didn't feel able to continue with the project after all the turmoil.

"We employed him on behalf of the market town initiative and we will continue the momentum of the programme with members of the existing team."

Mine Host offers business and marketing support to pubs and inns along the A689 through Weardale, where it aims to persuade more people to visit and stay longer.

Businesses taking part will be offered support with training, development planning and practical help towards improving or extending their premises.