A VERDICT of accidental death has been recorded at the inquest into the death of a long-serving councillor.

Robin Todd MBE, who served his community for more than 50 years, died last May, aged 74.

The grandfather-of-one had been suffering from lymphoma and kidney failure and had been admitted to Sunderland Royal Hospital.

The hearing at Sunderland Civic Centre, with Assistant Coroner of Sunderland Karin Welsh, today (Friday, February 12) heard he had suffered a fall in hospital and the cause of death was recorded as a subdural haematoma, or bleeding on the brain.

Coun Todd died on Saturday May 23, just three days after being made Durham County Council’s vice-chairman.

He represented Shotton and South Hetton on the authority, having been first elected to Easington Rural District Council in 1964, aged 23.

The Robin Todd Community Centre in South Hetton was named in his honour after he helped raise £750,000 to build it.

He would have become council chairman this year and in 2006 was made an MBE for service to local government.

Coun Todd was married to Sheila and father to Michael and Julie.

His daughter said: “He worked tirelessly for the village, was known across the county and widely respected. He is very much missed.”