Romsey'S mayor has agreed to call an extraordinary meeting of the town authority in a bid to defuse a controversial row over finances.

Two members of the council - Roger Shaw and John Ray - wrote to Dorothy Baverstock calling for a public debate on the issue, which has even attracted the close scrutiny of former Euro MP Roy Perry. Mr Perry has requested details of the council's accounts.

Mrs Baverstock took the unusual step of contacting The Romsey Advertiser last week in an attempt to reassure people about allegations concerning the town council purse strings in the build-up to next month's general and county council elections.

The town's first citizen promised readers the whole subject would be debated at the next full town council meeting in June but Mr Shaw and Mr Ray felt the matter should be debated before the mayor leaves office on May 17th. Both said they felt it "inappropriate" for the incoming mayor, Gill Gethin, to deal with.

Mrs Baverstock has called the meeting for Monday May 9th at the town hall at 7.30pm.