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 authority says the move will not cost council taxpayers more money as it is being funded by abolishing subsistence payments for work councillors do with the North-East.

The council also voted to introduce pensions for councillors as part of a "modernisation'' drive to encourage younger people to stand for office. .