A SINGLE word omitted from a council document left dozens of workers wrongly fearing for their jobs.

More than 80 tradesmen who work for Durham City Council's Direct Labour Organisation (DLO), which repairs and maintains council houses, were left worried for their futures after minutes of a meeting stated the council were reviewing the "option of discontinuing the DLO as soon as possible''.

But the Liberal Democrat-controlled council's executive director David Marrs has written to staff saying it was down to the omission of one word and that the wording was withdrawn when the mistake was spotted.

Mr Marrs said the sentence should have talked of discontinuing DLO status.

Changes in government rules mean councils no longer have to officially treat their own workforces as separate contractors bidding for work.

It would mean the council could axe one of two computer systems it had to operate because of the split, cut bureaucracy and improve the service.

Mr Marrs said: "Unfortunately, once again the mischief-makers are afoot, spreading misinformation, attempting to demoralise and gaining some perverse satisfaction from our staff and workforces' fears.

"Whilst I can never guarantee the long-term future of local councils, never mind individual services, I can give you my assurance that the recent spate of misinformation is rubbish and should be treated that way.''

A council spokeswoman said the council was planning to expand its apprentice scheme and added: "We wouldn't do that if we were getting rid of the DLO."

GMB union convenor Jimmy Jamieson said his members had been "all het up and worried about the future'' but he accepted Mr Marrs' explanation, adding: "I can't find any evidence to substantiate the closure of the DLO. But if it was going to happen they would have a fight on their hands."