A WOODSTOCK town councillor has stood down for personal reasons after only seven months.

David Yates has been a member of Woodstock Town Council since May but he resigned last week.

Mr Yates, a former police officer, said he had resigned his seat for personal reasons and declined to comment further.

Town mayor Brian Yoxall said: “He has done some very good work and been a very valuable member of the council, even though he has been with us for a short space of time.

“His resignation is to do with his personal life, which means he can no longer take on the burden of being a town councillor.”

As a result of Mr Yates’s resignation, a vacancy now exists on the council.

In order for a by-election to be held, 10 electors in the town will have to request one by writing to West Oxfordshire District Council.

This request will have to be sent to the chief executive’s office at West Oxfordshire District Council, Woodgreen, Witney, OX28 1NB, no later than Tuesday, December 4.

An election will be held no later than Thursday, February 7, next year. Should an election not be held, the seat will be filled by co-option.