A FORMER East Durham pitman is the new chairman of Durham County Council.

Father-of-seven Alan Fenwick, 72, of Seaham, will perform the ceremonial role for the next two years.

He takes over from Charlie Magee, councillor for Ferryhill, having spent the last two years as the council's vice-chairman

Coun Fenwick was born in Seaham and went to work at Dawdon Colliery on leaving school at 14, until he was made redundant in 1986. He has represented Dawdon since 1985 and has been on Seaham Town Council since 1983 - he is currently deputy leader.

He is a former member of the Seaham Lifeboat and was a partner in a fishing coble working out of Seaham. He has been chairman and vice-chairman of the former social services committee.

The new vice-chairman is Ernie Foster, 64, of Kirk Merrington, Spennymoor, a former miner who was on the Durham Area Executive of the NUM.

Coun Foster was first elected to Durham County Council in 1997 as member for Spennymoor, having served as the Mayor of Spennymoor Town Council in 1990/91.

Coun Ken Manton, who represents Sedgefield, has been re-elected as the Labour leader of the council and Coun Don Ross, of Framwellgate Moor in Durham City, will continue as deputy.

Coxhoe member Dennis Morgan and Brian Myers, Willington, will replace Alan Cox, Blackhall, and Alan Barker, Easington, in the council's cabinet.