THE Boundary Commission has decided that Darlington's Tory voting villages should stay in Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency.

The Darlington Labour MP, Alan Milburn, was forced to defend his more marginal seat against a possible influx of Tory votes at a public inquiry into boundary changes in January.

The commission has decided to stick by all its recommendations for County Durham and Darlington - that boundaries should be realigned with the nearest ward so as to cause minimum disruption.

John Fryer-Spedding, assistant commissioner, said the present boundaries did not give rise to any substantial difficulties.

"Probably a large number of residents of the rural wards, and possibly a majority, would prefer to be in a Darlington constituency," he admitted. "If the rural wards were transferred into Darlington, some minor local links would be broken e.g. with Newton Aycliffe."

Referring to complaints about an urban/rural divide, he added: "I find it barely relevant."

Coun Doris Jones of Middleton St George said she found the reference to Newton Aycliffe "absolutely ridiculous".

Coun Eric Roberts, Heighington and Coniscliffe, added: "I am furious. I spent a week going down to the inquiry and everyone put a very good case, which has been totally disregarded. How can you live in Low Coniscliffe and be part of Sedgefield?"

The Conservative Party put up a raft of counter-proposals for the rest of County Durham, including the transfer back of Spennymoor into the Prime Minister's Sedgefield constituency. They attracted many objections and little support.