A Wallingford town councillor has joined protests about a new code of conduct imposed on local authorities by the Government.

The town council has agreed to sign up to the new code, but several members raised objections.

Pat Granados said: "Councillors here have worked for years voluntarily and honestly to do their best for the town.

"Now someone outside local government suddenly wants to impose these rules.

"I have no complaint against them as such. We have all followed them during our council careers.

"But I do object to being told 'Sign or else'."

Deputy mayor Betty Atkins said one of the rules, stating that only gifts over £25 must be registered, was ridiculous.

She said: "All gifts should be registered, whatever the price."

The council decided to sign up to the Model Code of Conduct which states how they are to do their duties, when they must declare an interest in issues, and requires them to register interests as MPs are supposed to do.

As reported in the Oxford Mail last week, Harwell parish councillor Alan Walker has threatened to resign over the new regulations.

He said that he had nothing to hide but resented the implication that unpaid parish councillors could "no longer be trusted".