A TORY councillor has lost his seat after failing to attend six consecutive meetings.

Miles Willshire was automatically disqualified from the voluntary role after not turning up at any Romsey Extra Parish Council meetings since September last year.

Speaking after his dismissal from the council, Mr Willshire, who is an account manager at a marketing company, blamed his work commitments for being unable to go to the meetings.

He said: “I was under the impression that I needed to attend the next meeting in April to avoid being removed as a parish councillor.

“It is difficult to balance the demands of both a full-time job and fulfilling my duties as a parish councillor.”

The parish council has already begun the search for a new member and has advertised the vacancy on noticeboards around its patch.