DURHAM county councillors have voted themselves a £1,200 increase in their basic allowance just months after getting a £1,000 rise.

But the Labour-run council said the move will not cost council taxpayers any more money as the increase is being funded by abolishing subsistence payments for work councillors carry out in the North-East.

A councillor with no special responsibility will get £9,400 although there are now provisions for them to forego all or part of the allowance.

The council also voted to introduce pensions for councillors as part of a 'modernisation' drive, led by the Government to encourage younger people to stand for office.

Councillors would have to be eligible under the rules of the council's scheme for employees.

Council leader Ken Manton said: "There will be a number of members ineligible because of the age limit."

The move was backed by Liberal Democrat leader Nigel Martin and the Independent councillor for Weardale, John Shuttleworth, who said: "The introduction of pensions is a vital part of our drive to modernise the authority."

Proposals to increase the subsistence allowance for duties outside the region are on hold for a year pending further investigation.