STUDLEY claims to be one of the largest villages in England yet it is currently having difficulties recruiting a new parish councillor.

It seems that not one resident from the village's sizeable population is interested in joining the parish council despite the endeavours of its current members during the past five months.

Following a retirement from the council in June, adverts and canvassing by councillors have drawn a poor response.

To be up to full strength the council needs 12 members.

An extra member can be co-opted without an election if they are the only volunteer otherwise a vote would have to take place.

Parish clerk Dot Mitchell said: "We've asked around the village and advertised the vacancy yet nobody has come forward.

"What we need is someone who's interested in the community and concerned about what is happening in Studley.

"You don't get paid and you need to give up two evenings a month to attend meetings but the range of duties can be quite broad."

Among other things, parish councillors assess planning applications from fellow villagers, look after street lighting, lobby district and county councils and also have control of a fairly substantial budget.

Anybody interested in joining can call Dot Mitchell on 853204 or drop in at the parish council office at 1, Bell Lane.