TWO parish councillors have resigned to avoid having to make their financial interests public.

Councillor Ron Dawson, vice-chairman of Middleton St George Parish Council, and Councillor John Sterling, objected to the intrusion into their private lives.

A third member, Councillor John Winram, tendered his resignation for undisclosed reasons.

Their decision was revealed when all three men sent letters to the council.

A Government code of conduct has just been announced stating that councillors must declare all outside personal interests or step down.

Council chairman Brian Jones said: "Naturally, it is disappointing to lose three excellent councillors all at once.

"These were personal decisions and this I accept. But it does remain to be seen whether the new legislation, which forces parish councillors to declare financial interests for public scrutiny, will hinder the appointment of new members. I hope it does not, and that we will be soon back to full strength."

Coun Dawson, who has been a council member for three years, said: "We do the domestic business of the village, but now you have to declare things that go into the public domain.

"I feel this is an over-the-top intrusion into day-to-day living and I don't wish people to know that sort of thing."

The other two councillors were on holiday and unavailable for comment.

Coun Dawson is expected to remain as chairman of a parish plan working group, which is affiliated to the community partnership.