THE region's biggest local authority has backed one council to cover County Durham.

The county council's ruling Labour group agreed to support plans for one council to replace the existing two-tier system.

Last month, the Government published its White Paper on the reorganisation of local government, which invited shire councils such as Durham the option of arguing for the establishment of unitary authorities or retaining an enhanced version of the existing system of district and county councils.

Durham County Council leader Councillor Albert Nugent said: "Although the county council has a long-standing commitment to pursue a single unitary authority for County Durham, we have nevertheless weighed up the alternatives and examined the options in detail. It has been a tough decision, but as far as we are concerned, the driving force behind the decision is what we believe is going to be best for County Durham and the people who live and work here."

The last time the issue was debated in County Durham, as a subsidiary question during the 2004 referendum on an elected regional assembly, the debate caused deep divisions between the county council and Durham's seven district councils.

Coun Nugent said the divisive arguments of the past would not be repeated this time.

He said: "One thing will be different to events in 2004 -the county council will not engage in criticism of our colleagues in the county's seven district councils.

"This is a debate about all-new council arrangements for the future, not a county council takeover of district councils."

The county will submit a detailed bid for unitary status next month.

It is expected the Government will announce its decision in July. If approved, elections to the unitary council would take place in May 2008.

Six of Durham's seven district and borough councils have announced they are opposed to plans for a single unitary council.

Durham City Council is yet to voice an opnion.