A LOCAL authority leader has paid tribute to council workers who maintained services over the Christmas period.

Darlington Borough Council employees provided emergency cover in a range of areas during the holidays.

Home care workers visited about 250 clients - often up to four times a day - helping with day-to-day tasks.

Horticultural services officials were also on standby to deal with storm damage to trees, while highways chiefs carried out road gritting.

Refuse teams are also expected to have collected 200 tonnes of rubbish from households by early in the new year.

Council leader John Williams said: "Whilst everyone knows about the unsocial hours worked by the traditional emergency services, many are not aware of the teams of council employees who work hard year after year throughout the festive period to ensure that everyone in Darlington has a happy, healthy and safe Christmas."