A DISGRACED councillor who was jailed for abusing children has had his sentence reduced following a successful appeal.

Martyn Locklin was given 15 years by a judge at Teesside Crown Court after he was convicted of a string of sex offences.

Following a challenge at the Court of Appeal, his sentence has been reduced to 12 years, it has been confirmed.

Locklin, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, a senior Labour Party activist who often accompanied Prime Minister Tony Blair on visits to the region, had also appealed against his conviction.

But this was thrown out by judges sitting at the Court of Appeal.

Locklin was a former house parent at Aycliffe Young People's Centre, on the outskirts of Newton Aycliffe.

He was found guilty in a trial last year of eight offences against young children, including rape and indecent assault said to have been committed between 1988 and 1996.

The decision to cut Locklin's sentence was condemned last night by groups working with victims of child abuse.

Meg Colpitts, who set up Newcastle-based Just Kidz to provide emotional and practical support for families with abused children, said it sent out the wrong signal.

She said: "This man worked with children and abused their trust.

"Fifteen years should mean 15 years and he should serve his sentence."

Since his conviction, Locklin has lost his seats on Sedgefield Borough Council and Great Aycliffe Town Council.

He maintains his innocence and has been backed by campaign group Action Against False Allegations of Abuse.

A spokesman for Durham Police said they had not been present at the appeal hearing, but understood that a number of legal arguments had been involved.

The spokesman said they welcomed the dismissal of appeal against conviction in what was a "very difficult and complicated case" which had been thoroughly investigated.

The force could not yet comment on Locklin's reduced sentence because police were waiting to hear the reasoning behind the decision from the court.