STRUGGLING parish councils have been warned to consider all possibilities before opting for a merger.

Newbiggin-in-Teesdale Parish Council is hoping to join with Middleton-in-Teesdale after finding it difficult to recruit councillors and a clerk.

But Kath Toward, former vice-chairwoman of the County Durham Branch of the Society of Local Council Clerks, said there must be wider discussion between parishes before decisions are made.

Councillor Lindsay Waddell, chairwoman of Newbiggin-in-Teesdale Parish Council, said: "We have just over 100 on the electoral roll. With the increased workload that the Government is placing on us, such as annual audits, our standing costs are getting quite high and it's really not sustainable.

"At the moment, we're running on an absolute minimum of councillors and if we lose one, we won't be able to run."

Teesdale has 31 parish councils and it is feared many will be too small to carry out many of their duties.

Mrs Toward, clerk to Forest-and-Frith Parish Council, said: "At Forest, we are not seeking to merge, we're seeking information about how we can all work together."

Mrs Toward said: "There needs to be a meeting with the association of parish and town councils, and the clerks' society with all the parishes to see what can be done."

Middleton-in-Teesdale Parish Council has agreed to consider the request from Newbiggin and is taking advice about the legal implications. It is hoping to hold a meeting at a future date.