TONY Blair's plans to reinvigorate local government were in tatters last night after people living in a North-East town voted against plans for an elected mayor.

The results of the mayoral referendum in Darlington have been viewed as a hammer blow to Labour's local government reform - only 12 local authorities have adopted the elected mayor system since June 2001.

Polling stations in Darlington remained quiet on Thursday with a turnout of 24.65 per cent.

Dr Michael Macaulay, head of the centre for public service management at University of Teesside, said: "Central government has said an elected mayor will change the system and reinvigorate local government by making people more active and aware within their community. But that doesn't seem to have happened.

"Over the last 30 years, local government has died a death. Central government is responsible for that by taking power away from local authorities.

"I think there needs to be something more substantial put in place. More power needs to be taken away from the quangos and given back to local authorities. Unfortunately, though, I don't think that will be seen for some time.

"The Government is sticking by this system, but is now realising that it isn't as popular as it thought it was going to be."

In this region, the elected mayor model is in place in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and North Tyneside, but a think-tank last night revealed the Government was disappointed with public reaction to the system.

James Hulme, spokesman for the New Local Government Network, said: "There is an acceptance in Government that elected mayors have worked well in some areas, but at the same time there is a disappointment because of the lack of uptake.

"The Government would accept that they would like a greater number of elected mayors around the country."

The Government will instead shift its attention to a 2006 White Paper, which outlines proposals that could hand executive status to council leaders, giving them similar powers and responsibilities to an elected mayor.

Darlington Borough Council leader John Williams welcomed the referendum result, but he conceded that the authority had work to do to engage with voters.

He said: "We are not complacent, we know there is more to do - there always is.

"We know we can do things better and we want to do everything we can to achieve that. But we have to realise that you can't please all of the people all of the time.

"The people have spoken, the majority who voted in this referendum have rejected the idea of an elected mayor and wanted to continue with the system of leader, cabinet and 53 councillors running Darlington services and Darlington Borough Council. I am very pleased about that."

Meanwhile, a row has erupted over the use of mobile phones in the counting hall.

It has emerged that several councillors were caught using their mobile phones, despite a warning at the start of the count that it was forbidden to do so.

Borough council chief executive Ada Burns had to speak to councillors about their conduct.

One council worker, who was working at the count, said: "We were shocked by their arrogance - they should abide by the rules just like everybody else. It's absolutely disgusting."

Harvey Smith, spokesman for the Yes campaign, said he would make an official complaint about the incident, and would also report it to the standards board

He said: "I feel sorry for Ada Burns that she has to deal with such contemptible arrogance displayed by certain councillors."

A council spokeswoman said no complaint had yet been received. She added: "It was announced that mobiles could not be used to ensure the secrecy of the count."