A NORTH-East council has replaced a former official who had been on sick leave since he disappeared for two months last summer.

Spennymoor Town Council, in County Durham, has appointed Pauline Wilson as the full time town clerk, replacing Terry Robson in the position.

Mr Robson, who vanished from his Kirk Merrington home last June, had been on sick leave after being found in Edinburgh in August.

A police investigation into allegations that money from a trust fund he was responsible for had gone missing was later dropped without action.

In August, Mrs Wilson, a married mother-of-one, gave up a full-time job with Chester-le-Street District Council to take up the post on a temporary basis during Mr Robson's absence.

Last week, councillors voted unanimously in favour of making Mrs Wilson's position permanent.

She said: "I've lived 33 of my 35 years in Spennymoor, it is an honour and a privilege to be to town clerk in my home town.

"My top priority is to deal with issues that have perhaps not been addressed during the long interim period and aim to achieve Quality Status."

Mrs Wilson, educated at Spennymoor Comprehensive School and Newcastle Polytechnic College, qualified in law with local firm Meikles before working as a solicitor in local government for nine years.

Council leader John Marr said: "It has been an unsettling few months and people of Spennymoor want a dedicated town clerk in post.

"Pauline has made a good start in difficult circumstances and we are confident she will continue to do a good job for the town.

"We sought advice from a barrister and the union about Terry's contract which has been terminated due to his ill health."

Mr Robson's family have declined to comment further.