Another councillor has quit Middlewich Town Council – the fifth in seven months.

Gareth Williams resigned with immediate effect on March 27 saying having a pressurised job is incompatible with being a councillor.

In his resignation email, the former Middlewich Labour councillor, Gareth Williams, said: "My reasons, in short, are that the pressures of work have grown significantly over the last few months.

"I am finding myself travelling all over the country and am no longer able to commit the time, energy or focus which council matters, and residents, deserve.

"This has been the most difficult decision imaginable – I was keen to see out my full term as town councillor, to see to fruition so many of the good things that this council has begun, but I have had to act earlier than planned, simply because my greatest focus must remain my health, my family and my job."

Mr Williams thanked the residents who voted for him.

"It is the biggest honour of my life to represent the town I love, and to be awarded that honour through the ballot box is extremely special. I am just sorry that my circumstances have not allowed me to carry on until next year," he said.

Mr Williams' resignation comes within weeks of Dr Peter Hirst and Pauline Hickey quitting the council in February.

In October 2021 David Latham resigned and the previous month Chris Jones quit.

Former clerk Lisa Benskin also left in February to take up a new job.

Two new members – Laura Turner (Ind) and David Condliffe (Ind) – joined the town council last month following an uncontested election.

Cllr Turner, who has led the Fight For Middlewich campaign, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she decided to stand for election when Cheshire East Council leader Sam Corcoran 'took no notice of me as a resident at all' when she raised concerns about Middlewich and the town council at a Cheshire East meeting.

"I felt the only way I can get heard, be heard, is from a councillor position," said Cllr Turner.

"So I'm going to try as a councillor now, and I want the best for the town.

"I'm still going to go for all the objectives that are in the petition and campaign. I'm not veering off track."

She said she also wanted to find out more about the situation with Middlewich Cemetery.

"The saga with the cemetery's gone on far too long. I want to know what's going on there, I want to know what money's being spent, and I think the residents need to know as well," she said.

The vacancy for the Kinderton seat has been posted on Cheshire East's website.

An election will be held if 10 electors in the ward contact the returning officer at Cheshire East Council requesting an election within 14 days of the date of the notice, which was posted on March 31.

In Sandbach, Sandbach Town Council has also also had its fair of resignations.

A by-election in its Town Ward takes place on April 21st after David Jack stepped down as a councillor in January.

Nub News revealed the names of the three candidates standing for Sandbach's Town Ward election Click here.