A MAYOR banned from a pub in his town after an argument over a pint of shandy has apologised to the landlords.

Barnard Castle Town Mayor, Tony Cooke, still denies any wrongdoing, but will write to Andy and Sue Hill, who run The Beaconsfield in the County Durham market town, to say sorry for any 'perceived slight'.

Mr and Mrs Hill say that at a buffet following the annual Aviation Day celebration in July 2010, Coun Cooke ordered a pint of shandy, but was rude to staff when he thought they were putting beer in the glass first.

They also allege that Coun Cooke, who walks with the aid of a stick, barged a barmaid out of the way, injuring her hip.

After Mr and Mrs Hill complained, the matter was sent to Durham County Council's Standards Committee which sent a letter to the couple.

However, they say they never received it and as no response was returned to the committee, the case was closed.

At a council meeting on June 6, Coun Cooke refused to apologise to the couple and later suggested the misunderstanding may have arisen because Mr Hill is partially deaf and lip reads.

However, at a meeting on Monday night, Mr Hill said: "If I can't hear you from two feet away, how am I able to have this conversation with you from 30ft away across this room?"

Coun Cooke said: "It would strongly appear that this current wave of action is a vendetta against me and is being driven and supported by a town councillor who has openly stated that it is his intention to bring me down."

Mrs Hill said: "If he were to apologise he would be welcome in the pub on Aviation Day. I'll buy him his first drink, even if it's a beer shandy - and I'll put the lemonade in first."

Councillors voted in favour of asking Coun Cooke to say sorry for any 'perceived slight' towards Mr and Mrs Hill.

Coun Cooke said: "For the good of the council I am prepared to say sorry if I have caused them any discomfort, inconvenience and disturbance.

"I am sorry on behalf of the council. However, I still feel I have done nothing wrong."

Coun Cooke said he would write a letter to Mr and Mrs Hill and deliver it by hand. There is no indication whether the Hills will lift the ban on receipt of the letter.