DURHAM City Council has pledged to continue cutting grass verges in the district, despite a drop in the money paid to the council to do the job.

Labour-run Durham County Council is reducing by more than £15,000 the money it gives the Liberal Democrat-run city council for five cuts of verges in urban areas and two in rural areas.

The work also includes applying weedkiller twice a year and clearing debris and spillages on roads after accidents.

City workmen carry out 16 cuts a year, the city council funding the remainder from its own money.

Now the city council cabinet has agreed to fund the shortfall from its own budgets, rather than cut back on the maintenance of verges.

The city council, which is hoping for success in this year's Britain in Bloom competition, last year increased the amount of money it budgeted for grass cutting.

The council's deputy leader, Carol Woods, said: "We are very proud of our track record in maintaining the district's highway grass verges, and it's exactly that programme of work which contributes to Durham City being recognised as the best city in the UK, which was announced just yesterday.

"Imagine the difference when our teams schedule a minimum of 16 grass cuts, and if we cut back on the weed-spraying treatment. It would have a significant impact on the look of the city.

"The budget cut by the county council would reduce that high standard of finish to five cuts a year in urban areas and just two cuts in some of our villages.

"Durham would look just awful, and I feel that it is our responsibility to keep up our high standards - and not just in the city centre. We aim to keep Durham clean and tidy, so we will protect this standard if we possibly can."

The council's cabinet member for finance, Dennis Southwell, who is also a county councillor, said: "The county council was looking for cutbacks and asked all departments to look for savings. This was imposed on the city council.

"We will find the money because the residents of the City of Durham deserve the best and they will get the best.''