THREE Tenbury Councillors who topped the poll in the May elections have resigned from the Town Council in a row over the election of the next Mayor.

In a stormy meeting on Monday night, councillors broke with tradition and voted in favour of Councillor Maureen Pardoe, instead of the Deputy Mayor Councillor John Watts.

This result saw councillors Pat Bradley, George Price and John Watts leave the chamber.

Their action now leaves Tenbury Town Council with only eight serving councillors out of a total of 13.

Mayor of Tenbury, Councillor Janice Gluyas, told the Advertiser afterwards: "I was very disappointed that three councillors had to take the action they did after the decision over the Mayor-elect. The vote was a democratic decision."

Coun Mrs Bradley, chair of the Regal entertainments committee, said after the meeting: "I was shocked to see other councillors not elect the Deputy Mayor after he had served his time as deputy. I can no longer work with what appears to be a 'stitch-up'.

"I am absolutely appalled at the behaviour of some councillors and disgusted at the way the town is being run."

Deputy Mayor John Watts said: "This committee is not working as it should be.

"Without the support of my fellow councillors, I cannot work to the best of my ability, which I believe I was elected to do.

In a statement, George Price said: "The people of Tenbury should know that on Monday evening John Watts, who polled the third highest votes in the May elections and has served as Deputy Mayor since then, was not elected Mayor for 2004-5.

"Instead, Coun Maureen Pardoe, who came ninth out of the 11 places in the poll that night was elected.

"Their relative position in the poll clearly shows who the people of Tenbury would prefer to have representing them.

"The people deserve to be better served.

"Although I have resigned from the town council, I will continue to work hard for Tenbury at district council level," he added.