PARISH pump politics have come to a halt in a tiny North Yorkshire community after the parish council resigned en bloc.

Four councillors, including chairman Alan Gough, quit in protest over the Government's tough new code of conduct for parishes. A fifth resigned because of ill-health.

It has left grassroots politics in the communities of Arkendale, Coneythorpe and Clareton near Boroughbridge, in limbo, after councillors refused to sign up to the code.

Councillor Gough and fellow members Mike Rickards, Iris Nichols and David Cox all resigned in protest at the new code of conduct rules and regulations.

Coun John Milburn quit at the same time on health grounds, leaving the area without a parish council.

Hundreds of parish councillors throughout the country have raised concerns because they are being forced to sign up to the regulations. But only a handful of communities are said to be without a parish council because of representatives quitting.

Mr Gough, said: "People serve on parish councils because they want to help their local community and now we are told we have to declare interests including our homes, businesses and even gifts of £25 to any member of our family."

It is not yet known whether new would-be councillors will come forward to fill the void.