A former Woodstock Town Council clerk who felt she had been accused of fiddling funds has received an apology.

Marian Moxon, then town clerk, said at a meeting in August 2004 that the council's petty cash book appeared to be in the red during Ann Cooper's time as clerk in the late 1980s.

Following legal intervention from Mrs Cooper's solicitors, the council has now resolved that there was no evidence to support any implication of financial impropriety on Mrs Cooper's part and that it is "truly sorry" for any hurt caused to her.

The council also agreed to pay around £500 towards Mrs Cooper's legal costs.

Town mayor Colin Carritt said: "In reality all it was was that the money had been entered in the wrong column, but it was all totally above board and the books did balance.

"There was no suggestion of impropriety, but we recognised that there could been a misunderstanding and we have made an apology to Ann."

Mrs Cooper, who resigned from the role of clerk in 1988 but remains a town councillor, said: "I would not wish to pursue any claim for damages, I just wanted my name cleared."

In 2004, the council came under fire over the treatment of Mrs Moxon, who handed in her notice after 16 years following claims she was overworked and "bullied" by some councillors.

She agreed to stay when councillors Pauline Richardson and Jill Dunmore arranged some part-time help.

But seven other councillors then voted to accept her resignation at a meeting held behind closed doors.

Earlier this month, Anne Le Druillenec was the fourth clerk to quit the council in two years.