A town council seat has remained vacant after councillors decided not to co-opt a new member.

At a Portland Town Council meeting, councillors voted in a secret ballot to reject Simon Avery's nomination to be co-opted into the council.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Avery put himself forward to join the council for Underhill after no candidates came forward for election.

Introducing himself to the council, Mr Avery said: "I don't mince my words and I want to fight for the island as much as I can."

Mr Avery said if co-opted onto the council his main focus would be on removing weeds and clearing pathways and opening up bridleways around Thumb Lane.

He added as he worked as a sailor he would not be available every month and his overseas commitments meant he would be away for six weeks and then home for six weeks.

Cllr Jim Draper said: "I have seen your Facebook in the past and you expressed some views that would not fit with being a councillor."

He added there had been problems before with councillors misusing social media.

Mr Avery said he had now deleted his Facebook account.

Cllr Rod Wild said: "You are aware the vacancy has occurred because the chap was away a lot and couldn't fulfill commitments. An awful lot goes on outside council meetings."

Cllr Sandy West added councillors were often approached by residents and questioned what Mr Avery would be able to offer if they required a one-to one.

Mr Avery said he was still learning how things worked and initially would ask someone else for help.

Cllr West said the council had now had two councillors resign as they could not keep up with commitments.

She added it was sad the council had been forced to advertise to co-opt as no one had come forward for election.

Mr Avery was asked to leave the room so the councillors could debate and vote.

Cllr Susan Lees said she was not comfortable discussing the candidate in front of the public but Cllr Ray Nowak said it should be a transparent process.

"I am happy to cast my opinion. I've known Simon on social media and he had very controversial views – but some people think my opinions are controversial so my problem would be that his job takes him away from home a lot. I can't support Simon on this," he said.

Cllr Lees said: "In his defence his work periods would be set in stone so we would know when he was here a head of time."

Cllr Chris Gover said as Mr Avery did not live in Underhill he 'did not think he was well positioned to give views on Underhill'.

Cllr Nowak reminded the council that any resident on the island is allowed to stand anywhere.

The council cast their votes in a secret ballot which brought back the decision Mr Avery would not join the council.