TWO councillors facing disqualification due to non-attendance have resigned from their posts.

John Bennett and Lorraine Smith resigned from Shildon Town Council after being told they would be disqualified for not attending meetings for six months.

Their resignations were announced at a meeting of the council and it is now expected that by-elections will take place in both their constituencies.

Their non-attendance has sparked widespread criticism from members of the public and a heated debate on a local web site about Shildon.

One web site member said: "These councillors have let everyone down, their council colleagues and the people of Shildon.

"They got elected and could not even be bothered to attend."

Another said: "Why take these positions and then not attend."

In response, both councillors say they never wanted to let the townspeople down but had taken on too much.

Coun Bennett said: "When I put up for the town council I felt I had something to offer and I tried my best to give the people who voted for me the kind of representation they deserved.

"But due to unforseen circumstances and personal commitments I needed to spend more time at my business and with my family. I hope people will understand that and I apologise if they feel I have let them down."

Coun Smith, who also sits on Eldon Parish Council and Sedgefield Borough Council, said that she had found it difficult to sit on three councils.

She said: "I have given it my best shot but it just got a little bit too much for me. I don't want the people of Shildon to think I have neglected them.

"I was going to meetings at Eldon Parish Council and Sedgefield Borough and bringing up two young children. By resigning I can do a better job representing Shildon on the borough council."

Shildon Town Council clerk Mick Waterson said: "These two cases serve to illustrate the demands that can be placed on the time and availability of people who stand for elected office and obviously anyone who wishes to be an elected member needs to be aware of the of this and consider it before standing for election.''

A by-election for Coun Smith's Sunnydale Ward will take place on November 25 but a request for a by-election on Coun Bennett's Thickley ward has yet to be made.