THE newly-elected leader of Durham County Council hopes to raise the authority's profile regionally and nationally.

Ken Manton, councillor for Sedgefield, was yesterday confirmed as the successor to Don Robson, who retired at the last election. He said: "We have a lot to be proud of in County Durham and the council has been extremely active in pursuing vibrant regeneration programmes, which are vital for the 21st Century.

He said that he hoped the Labour-run council would "make the role of local government more relevant to the people we serve, especially the young people".

The council's annual meeting voted Don Ross, who represents Framwellgate Moor in Durham City, as the authority's deputy.

They will be members of the council cabinet along with former deputy leader Bob Pendlebury and councillors Brian Walker, Christine Smith, David Hogson, Neil Foster, Alan Cox, Alan Barker and John Davies.

The council's new chairman is former shipyard worker Charlie Magee, councillor for Ferryhill for the past 12 years.

He has served as vice-chairman and takes over from retiring chairman John Richardson who stood down at the election after representing Willington for 24 years.

The new vice-chairman of the council is former miner Alan Fenwick, who has represented Dawdon since 1985.