A ROW over councillors' pay is threatening to divide a North-East local authority.

Members of Shildon Town Council have decided to join a committee to look at the issue of pay for councillors.

The committee has been formed by Sedgefield Borough Council. The town council would have to pay a contribution estimated at £1,200.

The decision may cause an outcry from local residents. People in Shildon are paying some of the highest council taxes in the country.

Former council leader Alan Walker, who lost his seat last year, said that the decision was bound to evoke strong emotions.

Council clerk Tom Toward said when the issue was discussed there were 11 out of 17 councillors at the meeting

He said: "Eight voted in favour and three voted against. The three were Garry Huntington, Gareth Howe and John Thompson."

Town and parish councils are entitled to join the scheme under the Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) regulations 2003.

Council chairman Councillor Garry Huntington said: "Councillors have not decided at this stage to pay themselves.

"They have voted to join a remuneration panel that will look at this possibility.

"As I and two other members had no intention of accepting payments for our duties as town councillors we saw no point in being part of this arrangement."