A MAYOR in Tony Blair's County Durham constituency has sparked a political row after branding the Prime Minister out of touch with local problems.

Jim Wayman, the independent Mayor of Sedgefield Town Council, accused Mr Blair of ignoring the issues which affect those he represents.

Mr Wayman, who is also a borough councillor and former magistrate, launched his outspoken attack in the week Mr Blair celebrated the 10th anniversary of his election as Labour leader.

Mr Wayman told The Northern Echo: "He has been preoccupied so much in the recent past by Europe and America that he has neglected local problems."

Mr Blair's agent, John Burton, hit back at Mr Wayman's claims and insisted it was the councillor who was out of touch, not the Prime Minister.

Mr Wayman said that for the first ten years as an MP, Mr Blair was a "very approachable man" but described him now as "divorced" from local people.

He called on Mr Blair to focus more on the elderly, transport, crime, education and health, as well as constituency problems such as a travellers' site, a dangerous road junction and an illuminated tower.

The 60ft steel and glass structure, designed as a landmark gateway to County Durham on the A689 between Sedgefield and Wynyard, was described as an "eyesore" by Mr Wayman.

"It is stupid," he said. "It should either be outside Ikea or on the north pier at Blackpool but not at the side of that dual carriageway."

Mr Wayman also suggested the Prime Minister should step into the row over the gypsy site at Old Beacon Lane and do something about the new intersection on the A689 where two people have been killed recently.

But Mr Burton said: "We have never had one complaint about it, but if there is an issue we will sort it out.

"The tower isn't exactly the Angel of the North but it's okay and Tony's office chaired a meeting recently on the Old Beacon Lane issue.

"Obviously, it is Jim who is completely out of touch with what is really happening because the schools have improved under Tony, hospital waiting lists are down and the OAPs are saying they have never been better off."