A VETERAN councillor who almost pushed Tony Blair out of the running as Labour's parliamentary candidate for Sedgefield has died at the age of 81.

Alderman Warren McCourt, of Chilton, County Durham, died on Tuesday after a short illness.

Mr McCourt, a former miner, stood against Mr Blair in Labour's candidate election for the Sedgefield constituency in 1983, before becoming a trusted confidant of the Prime Minister during Mr Blair's early political career.

John Burton, a Sedgefield borough councillor and the Prime Minister's agent, said: "Warren worked tirelessly, not only for Chilton but for the whole borough and was a big Labour and Tony Blair supporter.

"He was a lovely man with a nice devoted family, a great sense of humour and time for everyone.

"When Tony Blair became Sedgefield MP in 1983 he worked closely with Warren McCourt and often discussed local issues with him."

In 1991, Mr McCourt was made an honorary alderman in recognition of his achievements and, in October, the Prime Minister honoured him with a special award.

Mr McCourt's son, Patrick, said: "I suppose my dad could have been Prime Minister.

"Mr Blair would often call at dad's house, seeking his advice.

"Family and politics were his passion. He believed in social justice and cared about people and the community."

Mr McCourt said his father could not stop himself helping other people, despite having a large family himself, and added: "He was very well respected and popular, we are all really proud of him."

Mr McCourt worked as a miner in Dean and Chapter and Fishburn Collieries.

He and his wife, Betty, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last year.

The couple have seven sons, two daughters and 15 grandchildren.

After his family, the second love of his life was politics and the Labour Party which he joined on his 16th birthday.

For more than 40 years he served as a councillor on the former Sedgefield Rural District Council and on Chilton Parish, Durham County and Sedgefield Borough councils.

At the age of 26, he became the youngest chairman of the former district council. He was also Chilton Labour Party secretary for 32 years and leader of the borough council for 15.

In the 1970s, he was agent to former Sedgefield MP David Reed, who also ran against Mr Blair in Labour's candidate election for the constituency.

A Requiem Mass will be held at All Saints RC Church, Ferryhill, at 8.30am today, followed by cremation at Durham.