A TOWN councillor has resigned, citing 'personal reasons' for his departure and sparking a possible by-election.

Cllr Tim Griffiths, who had represented the ward of Wyke Regis on the Weymouth Town Council, was elected as an independent following elections last May.

The news of his resignation was revealed by Weymouth Mayor, Cllr Graham Winter, at the first full town council meeting of the decade on Wednesday.

He said: "We have received notice that Cllr Griffiths has resigned from his role as town councillor. He has resigned for personal reasons."

Cllr Winter added that the process to replace Cllr Griffiths has already begun, but said this may take some more time as the council had only found out that morning.

Jane Biscombe, Weymouth town clerk, told the Echo yesterday: "A notice of vacancy will now be advertised. If ten local government electors from the area covered by Weymouth Town Council request the returning officer from Dorset Council hold an election to fill the vacancy, a by-election will be held.

"Weymouth Town Council hopes that a diverse range of candidates will be interested in becoming part of the Council and helping with the important job of driving forward positive changes and improvements for the town."

A 14-day notice period will be detailed on the notice of vacancy. If a request to hold an election is not received during the permitted time period then the town council must co-opt a person to fill the vacancy instead.