DURHAM County Council leader Simon Henig has retained his seat in the Chester-le-Street West Central ward.

He said: "I'm pleased to have been re-elected it's a great honour to serve the residents of Chester-le-Street West Central and Pelton Fell and also the residents of County Durham.

"Clearly the overall result is too early to tell. Labour have made gains but also losses. There has clearly been a shift to the Conservatives across many parts of the country."

Labour stalwart Linda Marshall who is  co-councillor in the ward lost her seat to independent candidate Karen Anne Fantarrow Darby.

She said: "I am absolutely devastated. I have given my life over the past few years to Central West and Pelton Fell. It is time to re-evaluate and what is lovely is I can spend more time with my husband who has Parkinson's and just got his 50 year long service award The Labour Party. He has also just finished today as well with Stanley Town Council."

Cllr Henig added: “I’d like to pay tribute to all my colleagues who have lost their seats in this election they have been dedicated public servants for many years and will be a huge loss.”