A COUNCILLOR has resigned from her position on a town council because she has not been able to attend meetings.

Liz Robinson handed in her letter of resignation last week, stating she is leaving Lyme Regis Town Council.

Mayor of Lyme Regis Cllr Owen Lovell, believes Ms Robinson would have been disqualified as a councillor after not attending meetings over the last few months.

He said: "Unfortunately she has not been here for the last six months really - not really since September.

"If she hadn't had jumped, I think she would have been pushed as I believe she would have been disqualified."

Ms Robinson was also a member of the authority’s strategy and policy committee and tourism and economic development committee.

Speaking to the Bridport and Lyme Regis News, Mrs Robinson, said: "I offered to resign in January because I thought my work project up in London was goingto be extended.

"I was told to wait until I knew for certain that it would be extended, and that is why I resigned.

"I have tried to be as open about it as possible. If I am too busy to make some of the meetings because of my work commitments, I think it is only fair to step aside and let someone else join the council."

In her resignation letter, she said: "I have enjoyed being part of the council, and as discussed, my reasons for resigning are purely due to lack of ability to attend meetings, due to ongoing work commitments in London.

"Thus it seems only fair to step aside so that someone who has more time to dedicate to the valuable role of councillor can take my place."

Ms Robinson's resignation has taken place with immediate effect.

Lyme Regis town clerk John Wright said: “West Dorset District Council’s electoral services’ team have been notified and they will issue a notice of vacancy.

“For a parish or town council vacancy, a request for an election must have the signatures of 10 electors registered within the parish, which must be received before the deadline state in the notice of vacancy.”

In June, Ms Robinson was co-opted onto to the council by members along with Cllr Brian Larcombe, Cllr Richard Doney and Cllr Stephen Miller after only ten candidates came forward to form the new council.

Cllr Lovell hopes that an election will be held to fill Ms Robinson's place on the council.

He said: "I do hope we get a call for an election.

"I hope there's one or two candidates who decide to come forward. We have got a good and reasonable council at the present time and it would be nice to have someone new who has been elected by the public."