A former Mayor of Evesham has called for the resignation of a town councillor who was carpeted following a row at the Mayor's ball.

Cllr Andrew Dyke, who was hosting the ball attended by civic dignitaries from around the region, said an investigation into the conduct of Cllr Paul Rencher, which led to his appearance before a Standards Committee two weeks ago, had cost around £20,000.

"Why should the ratepayer pick up the bill?" he asked.

"It would appear that the standards board now accept being drunk is an excuse to use foul and abusive language, for aggressive, insulting and violent behaviour.

"Mr Rencher should now do the decent thing, he should let the people in his council ward decide whether or not his behaviour was acceptable. Resign!"

Cllr Rencher refused to resign and claimed he was the victim of a witchhunt.

He added: "I find it quite ironic that someone who was never elected to the council should be asking me to resign. Cllr Dyke never faced the electorate - he was a co-opted member."

Cllr Rencher also denied having said anything untrue in his evidence to the committee.

The standards committee hearing last week arose from an incident last December when Cllr Rencher was alleged to have gate-crashed the ball, being held in the public hall in Evesham.

A report to the committee following an investigation contained a number of statements attesting to Cllr Rencher's conduct on that night.

The committee - which had the power to suspend Cllr Rencher for up to six months - decided to censure him.

Cllr Dyke said: "Mr Rencher has every reason to be pleased with the outcome of the hearing. His Oscar-winning performance, legal statement put in at the last minute and humble apology to the committee won the day."

He continued: "The statement contained a number of inaccuracies, yet not one member of the committee challenged it."

After the hearing, Cllr Rencher said: "I'm completely pleased with the decision made by the chairman of the committee and would like to thank the other members on the way they handled this meeting."