TWO tiers of local government which serve a North Yorkshire market town have found themselves at loggerheads over the services of a public relations consultant.

Jackie Mackenzie already had a contract with Richmond Town Council when she made a successful pitch to take over the more lucrative media relations role with Richmondshire District Council.

However, management at the latter felt a dual role could lead to political conflict.

She was therefore told she would have to terminate any dealings with the town council if she wanted to take the district authority as a client.

Town councillors were furious that their PR expert had been poached when they met on this week.

"I am absolutely horrified, especially when the town and district council are supposed to be looking at ways of working closely together," said Councillor Anne Frizell.

"I cannot blame Jackie Mackenzie, who has to take the more rewarding contract; we cannot possibly match what the district council is offering. However, I find this absolutely deplorable and suggest we find out if this breaches her human rights or any regulations on the restriction of trade."

Councillor John Harris, also a district councillor, said: "There would be more scope for coordination if one person was handling publicity for both the town and district council. I thought cooperation and not competition were the order of the day.''

Chief executive of Richmondshire District Council, Harry Tabiner, emphasised the same conditions of employment existed for the Darlington PR agency ending its contact with the authority.

"It doesn't just apply to Richmond either; it would be just the same if it was Hawes or Leyburn. We take the view there is the potential for a conflict of interests, particularly when two political organisations are involved," he said.