A COUNCILLOR born a month after the Titanic sank has announced that he is to stand down after representing his ward for 50 years.

James Graham, 94, was elected to Stanley Urban District Council, County Durham, in 1957 and then Derwentside District Council when it was created in 1974. He has been re-elected every four years.

He has been the chairman of both authorities and was, until recently, despite his age, the council's junior whip.

Councillor Graham still has a driving licence and, when he is feeling well enough, drives his Ford Orion on the 15-mile round trip to council meetings at the Civic Centre in Consett.

He will be 95 next month, making him possibly the oldest councillor in the country.

Coun Graham said: "I have never had any bad comments about my service and I have enjoyed my time.

"I like to keep people happy and attend to all of the complaints that are given to me.

"Things have not changed a great deal since I joined the council, they have just followed on."

Coun Graham was born in 1912. When the Second World War broke out in 1939 he joined the RAF and saw fighting in Germany and Africa.

He has been a bus driver, becoming a Transport and General Workers Union secretary. He joined the Labour Party in 1952 and was elected to represent South Moor five years later.

Coun Graham said: "I feel as though I have done my duty for the people I represent. It has been a pleasure to look after the needs of the old people."

Council leader Alex Watson, paying tribute to Coun Graham's lengthy career, said: "He is totally dedicated to serving the needs of the community and felt he needed to be at every meeting.

"He has a quick mind and is like a walking encyclopaedia of knowledge. There are members who have modelled themselves on Jimmy Graham because he was so active."