THE number of councillors serving on a parish council is set to be reduced.

West Rainton Parish Council is also set to be given a new name, to include Leamside.

Durham County Council will vote on the proposals for the authority at a meeting next week.

If approved, West Rainton and Leamside Parish Council will be able to have a maximum of nine members from the next election, scheduled for 2021.

A request had been made by the parish council, which currently has eight members and three vacancies, because it was struggling to get enough councillors.

A consultation on the changes was held earlier this year, which was sparked by a petition, which had been signed by 284 people from the parish.

The new name would come into effect next April.