LEDBURY's deputy mayor is urging town councillors to work together and look to the future following the sudden resignation of the newly-elected mayor.

Martin Eager stood down from the post days after being chosen, after an online petition calling for his resignation attracted more than 300 signatures in under 26 hours.

The petition drew attention to a 2008 court case when he was given a community order after he hit and threatened to kill his wife.

This week, deputy mayor Keith Francis confirmed that a new mayor will be chosen at the next full meeting of the council on Thursday, June 8.

He said: "I'm very disappointed and sad to see what's happened to Martin. What we must do now is look to the future and all work together for the good of the community.

"That's the reason why I'm on the council and that's what we should all be working towards."

A group of residents, including parish councillors Andrew Harrison and Liz Harvey, have now called a parish meeting to discuss the resignation. The meeting is on Wednesday May 31, at the Market Theatre starting at 7pm.

Cllr Harvey said: "This meeting is an important opportunity for local residents to express their feelings and to ask questions such as the role of the town mayor and how they are elected.

"Clearly there is a lot of disquiet about the circumstances of Martin Eager's election, so all town councillors have been invited to come along and put their side of the story. People genuinely want to know why they thought he

would be an appropriate figurehead for Ledbury."

Cllr Andrew Harrison said: "We hope that the meeting will go some way to clearing the air on recent events in Ledbury Town Council. Nobody should feel nervous about coming along and having their say.

"Next week's meeting will be respectful, restrained and far removed from the bitterness and rancour of recent town council politics. This is a chance to move forward constructively, for the community to debate how it wants the town council to be run in future."

A former town mayor has spoken up in support of Cllr Eager.

Ken Davies, who wore the chain of office in 1987/8, said: "I think he's got a very raw deal and needs some support. No-one had worked harder than he has for the council over the last 20 years.

"And his family has been contributing to the well-being of the town for the best part of 50 years.

"I'm glad I'm not on the council now. It's lowering the tone of Ledbury."