DURHAM County Council's deposed Labour leader says the controversial proposal to close council-run OAP homes cost him his job.

"It all focused on residential care homes,'' said Councillor Ken Manton after losing 26 votes to 23 to former miner Albert Nugent.

But he added that the new leadership would have to look at the issue again - although it can't be put back on the agenda for another four months.

Councillor Manton, who has led the region's biggest local authority since 2001, said he was proud of its achievements, which include gaining a four-star rating and introducing the country's first toll road in modern times, in Durham City.

Councillor Nugent, who lives in Seaham, East Durham, said he was surprised by his victory in today's annual meeting of the Labour group, which has an overwhelming majority on the council.

Asked if he expected to win, he said: "Not really. All I did was put my name forward and the members voted for us.

But he confirmed that the council would have to look again at the closure of its remaining nine care homes, a move defeated in a back-bench rebellion in February.