Consett'S first Conservative Party councillor, who held his seat in the Labour stronghold for 33 years, has died.

Welshman Larry Thomas, who was 83, served on Consett Urban District Council and its successor, Derwentside District Council, from 1950 to 1983.

For stretches of that time he was the only Tory councillor although at one point, with Mr Thomas as leader, there were five Conservatives.

Yesterday, present leader of Derwentside council Alex Watson paid tribute to his former colleague who served the Consett North ward.

He said: "He was a very well-respected councillor who kept in touch with what was going on long after he left the council.

"He was always interested in what was best for the community. The people of the area always came first."

Mr Thomas's widow said her husband, the son of a Rhonda Valley miner, had come to love his adopted town.

He died at the University Hospital of North Durham. His funeral will be held at Consett's Christ Church at 12.30pm on Friday