DURHAM County councillors have awarded themselves an inflation-busting 13 per cent pay rise costing taxpayers £120,000 a year.

Basic allowances go up by £1,000 to almost £8,500 a year, while members with special responsibilities, such as cabinet members, can claim up to another £4,500.

Five out of 61 councillors voted against the hike, including Weardale Independent John Shuttleworth, who called for the motion to be thrown out in the light of council tax increases and school closures.

He said: They're making a big thing about doing a full-time job but these are people who already get paid for other work they do."

Coundon member Phil Graham was not at the meeting when the decision was made. He said this week that the extra cash he could claim would not go into his own pocket but would go to community projects benefiting his ward.

Council leader Ken Manton, whose salary will be boosted by £4,000 to £26,281, said: "They are reasonable compromises between the voluntary nature of members' roles and what financial recompense they ought to receive."

Other councillors to vote against were: Reg Ord, Independent, and Nigel Martin, George Hunter and Barbara Howarth, Liberal Democrats.