A NORTH-EAST election official will spend Christmas in Kiev after being asked to help oversee the re-run of the Ukrainian prime ministerial poll.

Council officer Steve Taylor will go to Ukraine on Wednesday to act as an observer in the re-staging of the election after doubt was cast over the validity of the original poll.

Supporters of opposition candidate Viktor Yuschenko refused to accept the result, in which Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych was returned amid vote-rigging claims.

A new election, on Boxing Day, was ordered after the country's supreme court declared the result invalid following mass protests.

Mr Taylor was selected in recognition of the international standing of the elections team at Sunderland City Council, which is an advisor to the UK Government and other countries.

He was involved in a similar mission in Cambodia following the return to democracy in 1993.

The latest trip means Mr Taylor, from Newbottle, near Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, will be away from his wife and two grown-up children over Christmas.

Although he will miss his family and his cherished Christmas lunch, he wants to go ahead with the trip.

He said: "I am quite looking forward to it. It will be a very worthwhile mission, particularly if we can ensure that the elections go ahead without the problems they had in the first round."

Sunderland City Council's chief executive and returning officer Ged Fitzgerald said: "The fact that he is willing to give up his Christmas to act as an observer in the elections is just typical of the dedication of our elections team. I know he will do an excellent job."