SNOW clearing has been held up as an example of why a county council should be abolished.

Durham County Council has come under fire for its ability to keep roads open during winter from six of the county's district and borough councils.

The criticism arises out of the debate as to which tier of local government - county or district - should be abolished if regional government is introduced.

Iain Phillips, chief executive of Wear Valley District Council, said the recent bad weather had tested the county's ability to ensure roads were kept safe and gritted.

The district councils of Chester-le-Street, Derwentside, Easington, Teesdale and Wear Valley, along with Sedgefield Borough Council, are pushing for the county to be abolished, and the county divided into three smaller units of administration. Each would provide local services, from road gritting to education.

But the county council wants the district councils abolished and one unitary authority governing County Durham.

"Imagine how much worse it would be if all of the area's gritting needs were organised from a central point in Durham," said Mr Phillips.

"People with little local knowledge would be deciding whether or not your roads were gritted."

Durham County Council leader Ken Manton, who described the attack as astonishing, said: "One month before the current winter period began, Wear Valley District Council pulled out of winter road maintenance. It also sold two gritters without telling the county council and left us having to make alternative arrangements.

"If this illustrates the district councils' pledge on effective service provision, heaven help us."

The Boundary Committee is inviting views on the changes by February 23.