THE councillor who has chaired the committee which oversees Beamish Museum has retired after 15 years.

Sunderland City councillor John Mawston stood down at the recent elections and yesterday's meeting of the museum's joint committee was his last.

Mr Mawston, 74, who represented Shiney Row, was presented with two pictures and a miner's lamp in appreciation of his service.

"I still want to be active in some other form, I'd still like to support the museum because I think it is a marvellous concept.

"I've had 15 happy years and it has been a very enjoyable period of time."

Mr Mawston, who was mayor of Sunderland in 1987 and was in the city council's cabinet, said he thought the museum, near Stanley in County Durham, had a bright future.

"There has always been a problem with finance, but with the new direction the Government is looking at we should be in an enhanced position.

"The museum is the jewel in the crown and tourism is important to the North-East.

"The museum has a great team and the director is first class."

The committee, which is made up of members from the councils that help fund the museum - such as Durham County Council, Darlington and Newcastle councils - will appoint a new chairman in the near future.