A PARISH council chairman has urged aspiring young politicians to come forward, following the shock resignations of three councillors.

Hurworth parish council this week announced the departures of council stalwarts Ken Pattison, Jeff Kemp and Tony Needham, citing a combination of 'business commitments and other interests'.

The resignations have been timed to remove the risk of the council being exposed to the financial headache of having to run by-elections so soon before elections next year.

Parish councillors, like their district council counterparts, will face the public vote along with MPs on general election day in May.

Government legislation dictates that, if parish council vacancies arise within six months of an election date, replacement members can be co-opted, but it is deemed too close to the planned election to call another vote.

There were murmurings of discontent among parish councillors in Hurworth last year, when by-election was forced following another resignation, costing the parish more than £1,000.

Tony Winnett, chairman of the parish council, which meets at Hurworth Grange community centre, thanked Mr Pattison, Mr Kemp and Mr Needham for their commitment.

He said they 'will be a loss to the efficient workings of the council' and wished them well for the future.

Cllr Winnett added: "There has been no boardroom wrangling, but we are very sorry to see the three councillors go.

"I would love to see some younger people coming to take their jobs, to help the parish council build for the future.

"The problem may be that a lot of younger people work long hours and may not be able to devote the same amount of time some of the more senior councillors can.

"But we have got to get them in – if you're good enough to do the job, age is not important."

Mr Pattison, who served as a parish councillor for seven-and-a-half years including a spell as chairman, said the timing was right for his departure.

He said: "With my business and personal workload, something had to give – and that something was the council.

"I thought seven-and-a-half years was long enough, I have enjoyed a lot of it and there have been some parts that I have not enjoyed as much.

"But that's the same with everything, we have our successes and failures."

The resignations will require some re-allocation of parish council duties and there is a chance for new councillors to be co-opted for the period up to May next year.

Any Hurworth parish residents interested in becoming a councillor are asked to call parish clerk Peter Allan, on 01325-722171, or email enquiries@hurworthparishcouncil.org.uk