A CONSERVATIVE councillor has stepped down from Purbeck District Council due to "personal difficulties" less than a year after being elected to the council.

Timothy Mills, who represented the West Purbeck ward, only joined the council last May after polls were held in eight wards in the district.

But Purbeck District Council says he has now resigned with immediate effect, leaving vacancies on a number of committees.

Cllr Roy Anderson, chairman of Purbeck District Council, said: "It is unfortunate Timothy Mills has had to cut short his time with the council but we fully support his reasons for resigning and wish him every success for the future".

Mr Mills won 396 votes in the West Purbeck ward when he was elected in May 2006, compared with his rival Labour party candidate Jon Davey, who picked up 159 votes in the contest.

The ward, which includes Coombe Keynes, East Holme, East Lulworth, East Stoke and West Lulworth, will remain without a representative for the time being.

A by-election will be held for the seat when Purbeck council holds its next district elections on Thursday, May 3.

His resignation leaves vacancies in the Conservative group's allocation of seats on the council's licensing board, Purbeck Sports Centre Committee and Purbeck Heritage Committee and as the council's representative on the Dorset Playing Fields Association and the Sports Council.

His day-to-day role will be covered by Cllr Mike Lovell, county councillor for Purbeck Hills and district councillor for Langton, until the vacancies can be filled.

Mr Mill's resignation will be formally reported to councillors at a meeting of Purbeck District Council in Wareham tomorrow night.