FIVE Malvern town councillors have resigned in the wake of public protest over the 61 per cent increase in its Council Tax levy.

The news comes amid indications that Malvern Town Council may review its spending plans, which were heavily criticised at a protest meeting last week.

The meeting demanded the resignation of all 25 councillors and the clerk, Stuart McDonough, by March 7.

Tuesday's resignations came from Paul Beard and Christine Wild, in Trinity Ward, Chris Lennard in Link, Richard Manning in West, and Laurence Gough in Langland.

The group issued a statement saying: "At the town council elections in May last year, only five of the 25 members were elected, the other 20 being returned unopposed or co-opted to fill the vacancies.

"Over the ensuing nine months we have worked hard, unpaid, trying to do our best for the people of Malvern and trying to sort out the problems bequeathed to us, a job that clearly no one else wanted to do.

"The clear evidence over recent weeks, however, has been that there is a groundswell of opinion within Malvern against our town council - orchestrated, but nonetheless genuine. "We recognise, too, that our lack of a mandate from the electorate, although no one's fault, nevertheless undermines our legitimacy in the eyes of local people.

"We therefore feel that the honourable thing to do is to resign our seats, so that fresh elections can take place, and members with a clear mandate from the electorate can take their place on the town council. We undertake this action in the spirit of all that we have done, with the best interest of Malvern at heart."

The council was due to meet again last night (Thursday) and the mayor, David Williams, said he would be asking members if they wanted to look at the budget again. If they agree, then a further meeting would be held on Monday to discuss any changes and Malvern Hills District Council would have to be informed inside 24 hours.

He said he was sorry five councillors "had felt pressurised" into resigning, adding "it is a loss to Malvern".

Adrian Ward, who called the Forum meeting welcomed the councillors' statement.

"I think it's a very honourable thing to have said," he said, adding that he expected to find candidates from among the protesters to stand for election.

West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer said this week that the council should review its spending plans in the light of protests.