A SUSPENDED Labour councillor has kept his pledge to donate his "immoral" allowance increase to local causes.

Paul Trippett, a friend and ally of Tony Blair, was banished from the Labour group on Durham County Council for six months after he criticised a 13.8 per cent pay increase for members.

Coun Trippett, manager of the Trimdon Labour Club, has appealed to the Northern region of the party against his punishment.

Yesterday, he handed over a cheque for £166 - the first two months worth of his allowance increase - to the Trimdon 2000 group, to be spent on community projects in Trimdon and Fishburn.

The money, which amounts to a £1,000-a- year increase, will in future come directly out of his expenses to the group each month.

Coun Trippett is standing by his decision to speak out against the rise, which his colleagues say has brought the party into disrepute.

He said: "I don't agree that councillors should get a £1,000-a-year increase, so I'm giving mine to the community and they can spend it how they want.

"I've got two years to go on the council, so that's £2,000 for local causes - and if I'm re-elected in two years I'll just keep on doing it."

Coun Trippett sent a letter of appeal to the party's Northern region yesterday and said: "I'm extremely confident of winning an appeal. I've got the full support of my local Labour party and the Sedgefield constituency party.

"I've had tremendous support from ordinary people up and down County Durham who have been phoning me and writing letters of support."

Once the Northern region receives the letter of appeal, an independent adjudication panel will be set up and will meet within 28 days. Both sides will be able to make their case before a decision is reached.