A pair of political adversaries signed copies of a book they joined forces to write today.

Tales From The Council Chamber is a light-hearted take on the combined 77 years in local government of Lib Dem Chris Foote Wood and Labour’s Olive Brown MBE.

The two friends were frequently at loggerheads as leaders of their group at the now-defunct Wear Valley District Council after its formation in 1974.

They sat side-by-side at Bishop Auckland’s Morrisons yesterday afternoon to promote the paperback now on sale for £5.95.

Chris Foote Wood, 68, said: “Obviously we did have our arguments in the council chamber because we are both strong minded and robust people but we have always had mutual respect for one another.

“It was never personal, it was politics.”

Mrs Brown, 69, continues to be involved in politics as a member of the Crook Town Council Steering Group and Mr Foote Wood runs his own publishing firm in Bishop Auckland called Northern Writers.

Mrs Brown said: “I thought about writing my own memoirs and I mentioned it to Chris.

“I enjoyed writing it and we decided to make it funny.

“People always think ‘urgh, local politics’ but they don’t realise politics are never boring.”

Copies of Tales From The Council Chamber can be bought by calling the authors on 01388-762791 or 01388-602610.

Alternatively visit: www.northernwriters.co.uk