A council leader is standing down next week after losing the support of the majority of her Labour colleagues, The Northern Echo has learned.

Councillor Olive Brown is expected to announce her decision at the annual meeting of Wear Valley District Council on Wednesday, when the leader's post she had held for ten years is up for election.

It is understood that her replacement will be her deputy, Neil Stonehouse, from Coundon, who defeated her 13-10 in a vote by the council's ruling Labour group.

A second vote for the deputy's job went to Bishop Auckland councillor Charlie Kay by a narrow margin.

Coun Brown, who had decided to retire at the next district election in 2007, has represented the Crook South ward for 35 years.

She has not commented, saying only that she would be making a statement at Wednesday's meeting.

As well as her council role, Coun Brown makes frequent trips to Brussels as a member of the education commission of the regions and plenary sessions of the European Parliament.