A COUNCIL leader whose political future was threatened when he was deselected by his Labour Party branch has been thrown an election lifeline.

Durham County Councillor Ken Manton, barred from defending his Sedgefield seat in May, is standing in Bishop Auckland after being chosen unanimously by party members on Tuesday night.

The vote was a snub for Wear Valley District Councillor June Lee, who addressed the meeting believing she was the only woman left from an original all-female list.

However, last week the regional Labour Party reversed the women-only decision. A spokesman said Bishop Auckland was viewed as a special case after a party inquiry into how councillors and officers perform.

Supporters of June Lee, a district councillor in Coundon and Woodhouse Close for 22 years and a former chairwoman of Wear Valley, said she had been treated disgracefully.

The seat was won in 2001 by Labour's Jeff Sutton with a 345 majority over Independent Stephen Gregory.

Councillor Manton said: "I am very pleased to have the opportunity to carry on my work both as a councillor and leader."

But a senior Labour party member said: "He won't have an easy ride. Bishop Auckland is a very difficult seat and the Liberal Democrats have just won a district council election in the town. Some people will feel June Lee has been set up and that will cause problems."

Chris Foote Wood, who is contesting the seat for the Liberal Democrats, said: "Ken has been looking for a seat not to represent the people of Bishop Auckland but to continue as leader of Durham County Council."