STRESS is the biggest cause of sick leave at a North-East council, according to a report.

A study into staff absences by Derwentside District Council, in County Durham, has revealed that the number of sick days taken this year has fallen sharply.

But stress and depression remain the most common illnesses given by absentees.

So far this financial year, workers have taken 837 days off because of stress.

The projected total by April is 1,675 days lost to stress, down from 2,465 in 2003-4.

Ian Jones, the authority's divisional head of human resources, said: "This is an important area of sickness absence that the council tries to manage through its various policies and procedures. During periods of prolonged absence, the council has continued to offer support and counselling."

Back and neck injuries have accounted for a further 834 days off.

Mr Jones believes the end-of-year figure could be as high as 1,668, a rise of nearly 50 per cent on last year.

He said: "This is in part due to the fact that the council has an ageing workforce, especially in the manual areas of activity."

Overall, the estimate for days lost due to sickness is expected to be 7,315, a drop of more than 1,700 on last year's figures.

Mr Jones said: "Over the last three years, the sickness levels have fluctuated. What was a very positive downward trend up to last year unfortunately increased in 2003-4, primarily due to long-term absence. The early indications for this year are that the trend is reversing."

Staff in the larger departments such as building services, general services and housing account for more than half of all sick days.

Accountancy staff have the lowest figure and are only expected to accumulate six days off due to illness this year.