A NEW Forest mayor has been spared the embarrassment of losing his job just two days before his investiture.

A row erupted last month after Goff Beck, chairman of New Milton Town Council, used his casting vote to re-elect himself as mayor.

The issue was referred to last night's meeting of the council, at which it was decided to hold another ballot.

However, Councillor Beck was re-elected unopposed after John Mason, his rival in the first contest on May 5, decided to put his mayoral ambitions on hold.

His decision eliminated any danger of Cllr Beck being defeated just 48 hours before tomorrow's mayor-making ceremony.

A storm blew up after the council's annual meeting on May 5, when Cllrs Beck and Mason both stood for election as mayor.

The two members received eight votes apiece in the first ballot.

When a second vote produced the same result, Cllr Beck, acting on the advice of town clerk Graham Flexman, used his casting vote in favour of the status quo.

But his decision to re-elect himself was subsequently challenged at a meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

The row rumbled on last night.

Mr Flexman said he had taken advice from the Hampshire Association of Parish and Town Councils, who felt that the authority had acted correctly.

However, members said they should not have allowed Cllr Beck to remain in the chair during the voting. The authority agreed to hold another ballot, but Cllr Mason withdrew from the contest.

He added: "I'm extremely disturbed at the way this issue has been handled. I'm very conscious of the hurt it has caused to Goff and his wife."