A TOWN council this week saw a shake-up in its control as its long-serving leader stepped down from the post after two decades.

Councillor Bill Waters stood down as the leader of Spennymoor Town Council at Tuesday night's annual meeting, to be replaced by Councillor John Marr.

Coun Waters declined to stand for the position for another term, saying he had enjoyed the vast majority of his time in leadership but wanted to spend more time with his family.

He will continue to serve as a town councillor, which he has done for 28 years.

He said: "The position has brought me a great deal of pleasure for 99 per cent of the last 20 years.

"But I have had to make a number of sacrifices, the biggest of which is the amount of time that I was unable to spend with family, which I regret. My first grandchild, Emily Jane Sutcliffe, was recently born, and I am determined to play a bigger role in her life."

He admitted the decision to step aside had been made easier because his final year in post had been difficult for two reasons.

Coun Waters, who represents the town's Middlestone ward on Sedgefield Borough Council, is the subject of an investigation by the Standards Board of England after an allegation that he 'failed to treat another person with respect'.

The details of the investigation, regarding his position on the borough council, have not been released, but a tribunal is expected to be held later this year.

There has also been unrest within the town council following a disagreement between the Spennymoor and Middlestone branches of the Labour group.

Coun Waters said: "I have had tremendous loyal support from lots of councillors, staff and colleagues in the Labour Party who have become close friends.

"The last 12 months have been difficult, though I am hopeful all will be resolved soon. I don't believe I could have worked any harder for the town than I have done, and offer my best wishes to the new leader."

Coun Marr, a town councillor since 1989, said he was looking forward to leading the council and hoped to take it forward for the good of the town.

He said: "Our first priorities are to become more accessible to the people, including moving our offices to the ground floor of the town hall, and to strive to gain Quality Council status from the Government."