A PARISH councillor has refused to stand down despite receiving a vote of no confidence.

More than 100 people turned out for last night's meeting of Crossways Parish Council to have their say on a motion of no confidence against Councillor David Smith.

The motion was put forward by Coun Terrie Connor over complaints that Coun Smith had abused his position by trying to stop children using the playing field behind his house in Egdon Glen and called on him to resign.

Coun Connor said that on the weekend of June 2-3, Coun Smith had brought the council and the village into disrepute by his behaviour towards a group of Beavers playing football in the playing field behind his house.

Coun Connor added that Coun Smith was rude and parents had voiced concerns that if they use the sports field with their children he will march them off. She said his obsession with the sports field had reached the point where he was not doing his duty as a councillor.

The meeting, in the hall of Frome Valley First School, attracted residents of all ages from teenagers to pensioners, who felt strongly on the issue.

Scout leader Jenny Gibson said her son Joe had been shouted at three times by Coun Smith for playing football with his friends on the sports field, yet when she called the parish council she was told that they were allowed to play there.

She said: "Children are told to be polite and yet we have a councillor who verbally abuses children."

The crowd cheered when she added: "He should be taken off this parish council today."

Chairman of Crossways Football Club Alan Brown said: "I'm amazed we're having this meeting tonight. We're talking about our playing field, not fighting a developer who wants to build flats on it or a government who is building a motorway on it, we're fighting our own parish council."

He was cheered as he said: "What I see is self interest. I hope they see sense and allow us and our families to use this village and playing field as it is."

Coun Valerie Bache, chairman of amenities, said no proposal had been put forward to change, close or prevent the pavilion or sports field from being used.

Coun Smith said he had rights as a human being and the incident with the Beavers was an individual private matter and he would not discuss it.

He said no one has called or spoken to him about these issues and he had no reason to answer to this.

Coun Smith told the meeting: "I as a human being have rights.

"My wording on this is the same as it has been right from the beginning - this was utterly and totally a private matter.

"I did not go out to the field as a councillor I went out as a property owner.

"You may disagree but I find it surprising that only one person has called or fronted me up on this.

"I have no reason to answer this, but you are no doubt going to be the judge, jury and have made your decisions already."

Coun Smith's wife, Thelma, read a letter from the previous owners of their house voicing concerns about children playing outside.

Coun Abbey Scard said there were two sides to every story and they should agree to disagree like adults.

Five councillors voted in favour of the motion and six, including Coun Smith and his wife Thelma, abstained.

Chairman of the parish council Coun Daniel Smy said the motion of no confidence had been carried but Coun Smith refused to resign.

Coun Smy said: "I deplore his action. I'm deeply disappointed he will not carry out the will of this council. It can be dealt with by the Standards Board.

"I hope villagers will realise, we at the parish council have distanced ourselves from the behaviour he has conducted."