John Burton, left, Tony Blair’s election agent, said leftwingers have swept the board in taking over leadership in Sedgefield

Far-left backers of Jeremy Corbyn have been accused of taking over the leadership of Tony Blair’s former local party.

Eleven of the 12 positions on the executive of Sedgefield constituency Labour Party changed hands after its annual general meeting in July this year.

Activists linked to Momentum, the network of Corbyn supporters, and other backers of the Labour leader swept the board, replacing some long-standing centrist officials. One activist posted a message on the Momentum County Durham Facebook page before the meeting urging fellow Momentum supporters to attend it.

John Burton, 77, who was Mr Blair’s election agent, said that leftwingers had become chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer, women’s officer and auditors after an influx of new members voted for them. He said of the new executive: