LYME Regis town councillor and community leader Ayvin Rogers is cutting his ties with local organisations to jet off to Latin America in the New Year.

Coun Rogers, who once conducted an entire town council committee meeting dressed as Count Dracula, will not be standing for re-election in May.

And he will be resigning as chairman of both the Regatta and Carnival Committee and the local Boys' Club.

He intends to spend many months exploring Latin America from where much of the items on sale at his Fuego handicrafts and clothing shop in Coombe Street are obtained. But it's more a personal exploration than a buying trip, he stressed.

Coun Rogers, was chairman of the town council's Marine Theatre management committee during one of its most turbulent periods - overseeing the early period of the building's transfer to a Trust. But he says he has enjoyed his time as a councillor since 1996 despite the ups and downs.

"It's had its frustrations but also achievements. I never intended to change the world just chip away at the edges of resistance and open options for people in the town."

Mr Rogers said there were a few giggles at first but the atmosphere soon found a new vein - when he warned them he might be biting some necks later on.

Coun Rogers says he has also enjoyed his time leading the carnival committee and he has set plans in motion for changes at the Boys Club before he stands down at next month's Annual meeting.

" I am hoping to leave in place some strategic changes the most important being that all the youth work will be line managed by Dorset youth community service," he told The News.

" I am also currently seeking funding for a qualified youth leader and some assistants to help in the post. We want to make the e club more than just a place for young people to hang out and have a good time. We want to promote activities that will increase opportunities for young people to experience activities and interests that would broaden their enjoyment and confidence and informally educate them.

He says such activities could include music and dancing and outside excursions to skateparks and paintball centres.

In the meantime he says they want to hear from local people with skills they could pass on to the youngsters on a paid or voluntary basis.

"The more the community interacts with young people the safer people will feel when they get to know the young people," he added.

Anyone interested in helping out - and no previous experience of working with young people is necessary - should contact Coun Rogers at his shop on Lyme Regis (01297) 443933.

* Coun Rogers once chaired an entire meeting of the Marine Theatre management committee dressed as Count Dracula - complete with white face and blood red lips. He said afterwards it was "a bit of fun for Halloween night - a piece of live theatre."