THE former leader of Durham County Council is among 12 former councillors to be honoured for their long service.

Don Robson, the council's Labour leader for a decade, retired at the June elections after 20 years service and nine years on the previous county council.

The council is set to make him an honorary alderman. Honorary aldermen take part in some civic ceremonies but do not attend meetings or get allowances.

The ex-councillors have hundreds of years' service between them. Two Independents are among the others - Derek Armstrong (Horden), who served for 22 years, and John Armstrong (Evenwood), who served 28 years on the current council and ten with its predecessor

The rest are Labour members: Derek Bates (Pelton), 28 years plus six with the previous council; Len James (Craghead and South Moor) 26 years; Jim Mackintosh (Gilesgate), 28 plus four years; Ron Morrissey, (Sherburn), 20 years; Pat Nolan (Belmont), 12 years; John Richardson,(Willington), 24 plus four years; Allan Thompson (Coxhoe) 28 years; John T Thompson (Annfield Plain), 28 years; Joe Walker, (Burnopfield and Dipton), 16 years