MAYOR of Hexham Coun. Trevor Cessford has slammed the withdrawal of public notices from the Hexham Courant as “unsustainable and political”.

He levelled the criticism at Northumberland County Council’s chief executive, Steven Mason, in a letter written on behalf of Hexham Town Council demanding the decision be reversed.

“The town council has received complaints that the county council is censoring the local press by withdrawing a source of its revenue,” Coun. Cessford wrote.

“The local community has been short-changed by the county council and considers, as the Hexham Courant has been critical of the county council administration on several issues, that revenge has been taken.”

Chairman of Acomb Parish Council, Coun. Charles Enderby, has also written to Mr Mason.

“The Government Code of Recommended Practice on local authority publicity sets out seven main principles including that they publicity should be even handed and appropriate, having due regard to equality and diversity,” he wrote.

“Your present scheme disregards and contravenes this code.”

Both councils are yet to receive a response.