Proposals to radically change the system of local government have been tackled at a public debate organised by The Northern Echo.

More than 200 people attended the event, chaired by Echo editor Peter Barron, at the Gala Theatre in Durham City.

It was held ahead of the Government's June 22 deadline for consultation over local government reforms which propose the biggest changes in the way councils are run for more than three decades.

In the North East, there are plans to scrap district councils in Durham, North Yorkshire and Nortumberland and replace them with single unitary authorities covering those counties.

The Echo felt that consultation had been inadequate so arranged a public 'Question Time' debate.

Peter said: "It is vital that the implications of these proposals are fully understood and our aim was to provide an opportunity for questions to be asked and to give local people a voice."

The event was such a success that the Echo is now planning to organise a similar forum to debate proposals for an elected mayor in Darlington, which will be the subject of a referendum in September.