A COUNCIL chairwoman completed a family double yesterday when she became the first woman to follow her husband into the post.
Councillor Margaret Douthwaite, who has represented West Auckland for six years, was elected as chairwoman of Wear Valley District Council at yesterday's annual meeting.
Her husband, Councillor Sonny Douthwaite, led the authority in 1998/99 and is now chairman of highways for Durham County Council.
During her year in office Mrs Douthwaite will raise money for breast cancer and prostate cancer charities.
She has been vice-chairwoman of the housing committee since 1999 and worked as a Bishop Auckland General Hospital cleaner.
She said: "I want to see Wear Valley get the recognition it deserves. We are such a small authority but we have so much to offer."
Vice-chairwoman is Bishop Auckland councillor Margaret Jones.
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