A Honiton town councillor has quit following another dramatic meeting.

Colin Hattle-Spence told Nub News he is standing down just nine months after he was elected unopposed.

His announcement came after angry scenes at last night's Honiton Town Council meeting, but he claimed his decision was not linked to recent council controversies.

Hattle-Spence told Nub News: "I feel I have done all I can do in my role as a town councillor.

"Important decisions that I was involved with have been made and I have fulfilled the targets I set out for myself.

Hattle-Spence explained that his decision to leave 'wasn't preplanned' but came after a 'satisfactory result' for a number of items which were included within Part B of the agenda, and therefore discussed in private.

He said: "We had a very polite and productive session in which the allotment project got the go-ahead and issues surrounding The Beehive were put behind us.

"I felt that I had achieved certain targets that I set out for myself and could leave the field open for someone else to take over.

"People may not realise how demanding it is being a town councillor. It's a big responsibility and very time-consuming.

"In my time on the council, I feel proud of my involvement in the Allotment Working Group, the Green Spaces Group, Town Development and Planning."

In answer to a question about the general public feeling towards Honiton Town Council and the way it has conducted itself, he commented: "There is a lot of misconception about how the town council is run.

"It was good that members of the public turned up to last night's meeting, as many feel that decisions are being made behind their back.

"Meetings are open to the public and people are free to submit questions in advance.

"It has to be done in a polite manner and through the correct channels, otherwise you have mob rule.

"I'm glad there appears to be more interest in what is going on within the council. It's like when they first started televising parliamentary debates in the House of Commons.

"People can see how it works and that a contrast of opinions and views are good for democracy.

Hattle-Spence confirmed that he left on 'good terms' and is happy with the outcome of last night's meeting.