AN MP has reignited a war of words with a district council he wants abolished by launching a survey to seek the views of residents.

North Durham Labour MP Kevan Jones, who earlier this year dubbed Derwentside District Council "about as popular as a dose of the plague", has launched a survey to see if residents agree with him.

The survey will ask people in the Stanley area of his constituency what form of local government they want.

He said: "A referendum on a regional assembly will mean the end of local government in Durham as we know it. I feel strongly that the present two-tier system doesn't work and is both inefficient and unsustainable.

"People in Stanley have made it clear to me their low opinion of Derwentside District Council, which I agree should be abolished.

"This gives local people a real chance to get the council services they deserve."

Mr Jones, who favours a Durham county-wide unitary authority with town and parish councils, will be giving the results to the national Boundary Commission.

District council chairman Councillor Alex Watson said: "Clearly, Mr Jones has made his mind up. I am not sure whether it is prudent for him to do this survey.

"It is unfair for a MP in Derwentside to be against Derwentside, as such. We are an efficient authority despite financial restraints and have won all sorts of awards."

Coun Watson said a county-wide unitary authority would be an inferior system, because of the remoteness of decision making.