VOTERS are facing a by-election after a new county councillor opted out of a twin role.

Willington councillor Brian Myers has resigned from Wear Valley District Council following his election to Durham County Council earlier this month.

In his six years as district council member for Willington East, he has served as housing chairman and deputy leisure chairman. He is also secretary of the Wear Valley Labour group.

He said: "The local Labour Party branch has recognised for some time how vitally important it is that the town has maximum representation on both the district and county councils. I believe a strong voice is needed on the county council to present the issues affecting the town, and consider that being a member of the district council as well would detract from that.

"No man can serve two masters, and sometimes the stance taken on cross-cutting issues can be contradictory, leaving the elected member in an invidious and sometimes embarrassing position."