A PARISH council which sparked an unlikely political crisis when members resigned en masse has been replaced without an election.

The parish of Arkendale, Coneythorpe and Clareton, near Boroughbridge in North Yorkshire, made national headlines when its entire council quit at the same time.

Five members resigned rather than agree to the Government's new code of conduct for members, while a sixth stood down because of ill-health - catapulting the tiny community of 300 voters to the forefront of the national debate on standards in public life.

The decision caused ripples of concern across the country where it was felt the code of conduct could deal a body blow to grassroots democracy because hundreds of parish councillors have resigned rather than agree the new terms. The code requires members to declare an interest when handling planning applications as well as forcing them to reveal details of their property holdings and employment.

Parish clerk Brenda Wilson, who will herself be stepping down in the near future, has been running the administration since the resignations.

But the entire council has now been replaced unopposed and will take office on June 20.

Peter Hollis, Wendy Lill, Ruth Cuthbert and Hilary Kelly, of Arkendale, along with John Tomlinson, of Coneythorpe, have been elected unopposed to the authority.

Mr Hollis said: "We have not been rudderless. We had said there would be a new parish council and that it was not going to be a problem because we had volunteers to fill places."

It is not yet known when the replacement parish council will hold its first meeting but Mr Hollis promised there would be close contact with the community about the council's affairs and issues.

Asked about the new code of conduct governing parish councillors Mr Hollis said: "My own view is that it is absolutely proper. I can't see what people have been worried about."