BROADWAY parish councillors are digging their heels in over the Government's new Code of Conduct even though the deadline for signing passed last Friday.

Councillors consider part of the new rules, which require them to reveal private information about themselves and their family's financial business, a gross infringement of human rights.

Eleven out of 13 have refused to sign, but instead of resigning from their positions leaving the village without a parish council, they have decided to stay put until they are removed.

Parish clerk, Don Shryane said: "It will be business as usual as far as our councillors are concerned. Almost all of our members will not sign the Code but are determined to stay on until they are forced off the committee."

Mr Shryane said councillors had told the Government's Standards Board, through Wychavon, in May that their human rights were being infringed but had so far received no reply.

Head of Wychavon District Council's legal department, Ian Marshall, confirmed that many parish councillors had objected to the Code, prior to resignations, but that Broadway's situation was different. He said: "Broadway Parish Council is the only serious problem. They are carrying on with their normal business until the Government's Standards Board instructs them otherwise.

"As far as the district council is concerned the business being transacted is valid. We thought at first they would be automatically disqualified but that is not now the case.

The Heart of the Country programme makers filmed part of the June meeting of the parish council, which is expected to go out next Tuesday.