THE DEPUTY town clerk of Lyme Regis has resigned - ahead of a new council being introduced next week.

Mark Tredwin, who has worked for the town council for the last two years, paid tribute to council staff and said there were a number of reasons for his departure.

Councillors were notified of Mr Tredwin's resignation earlier this month, and it was made public at last week's human resources committee meeting.

In his resignation letter, addressed to town clerk John Wright, Mr Tredwin said: "It is with regret that I am informing you of my resignation as deputy town clerk for Lyme Regis Town Council.

"There are a number of reasons for my decision which I will not go into here. I would like to thank you and the rest of the staff for the support you have given me over the past two years.

"Your leadership and guidance over the past two years has been second to none and you have not received the recognition from certain quarters that you deserve. It has been a privilege to have worked with you."

Before recruitment for a new deputy town clerk is carried out, Mr Wright proposed the requirements of the role should be considered by the new administration next month.

Mr Wright also paid tribute to Mr Tredwin for his service to the council.

"I have worked with Mark Tredwin for the past two years and I am grateful for the support he has given me and the rest of the team" he said.

"I understand Mark is looking to do something very different to local authority work and he plans to remain in the area. I wish him well in the future."

Mr Tredwin is also president of the Lyme Regis Rotary Club. His final day of service at the town council will be July 10, 2015.