A LONG serving County Durham councillor has died.

Coun Bill Waters, from Byers Green, near Spennymoor, passed away yesterday (Thursday, March 20) at the age of 77.

Former miner Coun Waters was first elected onto Spennymoor Town Council in May, 1976, and served continuously since then including 20 years as leader and as mayor in 1981-82.

He also served on the former Spennymoor Urban District Council and Sedgefield Borough Council, of which he was a cabinet member and in 2009 was made an honorary alderman in recognition of eminent service.

He was well known across the county for many roles in public life including chairman of County Durham Association of Local Councils and a Labour party member.

Coun Waters and his wife, Julia, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2011 and have three daughters, Carole, Pam and Eileen, and a son, John.