ABINGDON councillor Peter Jones is taking a six-month break from his community work after suffering a stroke in December.

Mr Jones, who is still in hospital, is a town, district and county councillor.

Town mayor Mike Badcock said: “Peter is a hard working, experienced and popular member of the town council. Due to his illness he is unable to undertake his council work.

“Our thoughts are with him, his wife Gill and his family and we send our best wishes for a full recovery.”

Abingdon Town Council agreed the leave earlier this week.

Mr Jones, 67, of Glyme Close, has represented Abingdon East on Oxfordshire County Council since 2009.

The Conservative was elected to Vale of White Horse District Council and the town council in local elections last May.

Town council leader Sandy Lovatt, who also serves on all three local authorities, has asked the county and district councils to also give Mr Jones six months’ leave.

He said: “This is to give him time to recover because he had quite a severe stroke. He is presently in the John Radcliffe Hospital in the stroke unit.”

Mr Jones also served as a town and district councillor from 2003 to 2007.