A LONG-STANDING community champion who has served the people of Shildon for the last 12 years has resigned from the town council.

Former Shildon mayor and Liberal Democrat Gareth Howe joined Shildon Town Council as a member for the Byerley ward in 2003.

He was town mayor between 2009 and 2011.

Mr Howe, 61, of Dean Street, is also secretary and treasurer of Shildon AFC and treasurer of Elm Road Working Men’s Club.

He has resigned from the council due to health reasons following a car crash near Binchester, close to Spennymoor, on the A688 last August.

He is to consider his roles at Elm Road club and with the football team.

Mr Howe, warehouse convenor at Thorn Lighting, in Spennymoor, said: “I have enjoyed the council process.

“I think people expect you to perform miracles but it doesn’t always work that way. I am just one person and you do what you can when you can.

“Sometimes you can’t solve the issue and you just make a phone call to try to get things resolved.

“I have regrets about leaving the council and I feel that I’m letting people down but I have to think about myself too.

“I’ve enjoyed it but I think over the last year I haven’t been able to dedicate the time that is required to the role.”

Mr Howe comes from St Neots, in Cambridgeshire, and for three years he was a member of St Neots Town Council and Huntingdonshire District Council.

He moved to Shildon in 2000 for family reasons and he joined the town council in 2003.

Despite a dislike of football, around 2003 he joined Brian Burn to help rescue Shildon AFC which was struggling at the time.

He said: “I hate football but the club was on the verge of going bust and we worked hard to save it from bankruptcy.

“Now the club is going from strength to strength and looking good.”

Mr Howe resigned from the town council on Monday, May 4 and he plans to spend more time with his son, Anthony, and daughter, Claire, plus his five grandchildren.

Councillor Henry Nicholson, mayor of Shildon, said: “I would like to thank Gareth for his service on behalf of the council.

“I would like to thank him all the best for the future.”