A DARLINGTON Conservative councillor has expressed his disappointment at being removed from the authority's planning committee by his own party.

Councillor Bill Stenson lost his place because the committee has been reduced in size as part of a council reorganisation programme.

He stressed he was not criticising his own party, but said: "The Conservatives had to lose two councillors on the committee and the upshot was I got the short straw.

"I'm disappointed and would like to get back. I've had a lot of support from people in my ward in Mowden. That has meant a lot to me and I'm very grateful to them."

The other Conservative councillor to lose her place is Councillor Doris Jones.