The homecoming of Anthony Hutton is creating a bit of a stir in his home town of Consett. The Labour controlled council organised a civic welcome (aka a bit of a bash) for Anthonys return and appointed him as an ambassador for the young people of Consett.

But opposition councillors have criticised the decision of the council. John Ingham of the Derwentside Independents stated ” “Good luck to the lad, but I am opposed to this. All he has done is win a popularity contest, the criteria for which appears to be the least obnoxious of all the entrants.”

“I wish him all the best and understand he has won a lot of money. But I don’t think this justifies spending council tax payers’ money…… There is a long list of projects that the council could use this money for, from the regeneration of Stanley town centre to providing decent playing facilities for kids.” Mr Ingham intends to raise this issue of the missuse of council money with fellow councillors in the near future.