Sedgefield Borough Council has made a presentation to planning chief John Litherland, who has stepped down after 12 years in charge.

Mr Litherland, the council's director of planning and technical services, has left the authority to take up a position as executive director of the Northumberland Strategic Partnership.

He was presented with a painting of Shildon town centre, one of the projects he has been closely associated with, by Sedgefield chief executive Norman Vaulks.

Mr Litherland said he had mixed emotions on leaving the council after so long.

He said: "During the 12 years we have achieved an awful lot, so I felt I was leaving behind some very good projects that we have developed and also quite a lot that were under development.

"I'm also leaving some very good close working colleagues, both within the council and organisations within the borough and the county."

Mr Litherland added: "Things we've achieved I'll look back on with particular pride include the Bessemer Park development in Spennymoor, the revitalisation of Shildon town centre and the improvement to the conservation area in Sedgefield."