RICHARD Hicks, Evesham's mayor has suddenly resigned.

Town clerk, Frank Green, received the shock news yesterday (Wednesday) by fax.

He said: "All I can say is we received a fax from him resigning as a town councillor and saying he will return his and the Mayoress's chain of office. His reasons are personal."

A friend of Councillor Hicks phoned the Town Hall this week to say he was ill and cancelled his duties.

Mayoress Heather Hopkins has not seen him since Saturday and had no idea he had resigned until the Journal contacted her.

She said : "I have stood in for him on several occasions lately - he has let me down big time."

When the 30-year-old councillor became mayor in May he said he believed he was the first openly gay man to take on the role in Evesham.

At his inauguration he said: "That I have the support of my fellow councillors and sexuality has never been an issue shows we live in more tolerant times".

Howevr, last week he told the Journal of an offensive call from a woman, which had upset him.

Coun Hicks said: "Not only were her comments extremely homophobic, they were insulting and derogatory.

"It's sad that in the 21st century there are still people who hold such prejudices.

"Whether people are a minority through race, sexuality or any other, aspects of their lives should be private."

Former Mayor, coun John Payne said: "It is sad news. Richard brought a youthful vitality and enthusiasm to the council chamber. "

Mr Hicks, in a partnership, established the Limelight caf bar in Bridge Street but it was severely damaged by floods in 1998 shortly after it opened.