Councillor Robert Taylor has been named as the new chairman of District of Easington council.

Coun Taylor will be the last elected member to serve as chairman before the council becomes a unitary authority, along with the other district councils in County Durham, in April 2009.

Outgoing chairman Coun Margaret Nugent handed over the chains of office to Coun Taylor at the council's annual general meeting yesterday.

Coun Taylor, who is also known as Leo, represents the Wingate area and has been a district councillor for five years.

The district's new vice chairman is Coun Ray Davison, who represents Easington Village and South Hetton.

At the same meeting Coun David Taylor-Gooby, member for the Howletch ward, was presented with a long service award in recognition of his 20 years as a district councillor.

"I would like to thank everyone in the district who has helped me over the years, and all those who have supported me," he said.