A TOWN council made history as it met for the first time without any Labour representatives.
It is the first time that Shildon Town Council has met since the May 1 elections when all Labour councillors lost their seats.
The town has had a Labour council since the late Twenties but last week's meeting saw a Liberal Democrat elected as chairman for the first time in years.
Coun Garry Huntington, who has served the town since 1984, said it was a great honour to take up the post.
He said: "I will hold this dear to me. To be chairman of this town council is an honour that I won't forget. I honestly thought that I would never see the day."
The previously Labour-run council had recently spent money on transforming the town but came under fire because residents believe they are paying for it with, what they say, is the highest council tax rate in the country.
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