THE Sheriff of Oxford, city councillor Susanna Pressel, has been thrown out of her pool league for forfeiting a game.

Trouble started when the Jericho and Osney Labour councillor, captain of the Great Western Railway Staff Association B team refused to play a fixture against rivals The Kite pub.

Ms Pressel was barred from the Mill Street pub earlier this year for talking about politics too much and, as a result, claimed it was impossible to honour the fixture.

And in protest at being unable to play the fixture, Ms Pressel and her team effectively abandoned the match.

And after a unanimous vote by Oxford Mile Invitation Pool League committee members, Ms Pressel's team was expelled.

League secretary Malcolm Lewis said: "This has never happened in our league before."

However, there might be more misery for Ms Pressel's team come the league's AGM next month, when a vote will decide whether the Railway Staff Association B team is re-admitted to the league next season.

Ms Pressel said: "It's really embarrassing and I am going to appeal. I think it's really unfair."

Ms Pressel, a talented pool player who represents Oxfordshire, is no stranger to controversy and is well known at the Town Hall and beyond for her strongly-held beliefs and forthright manner.

Pete McGarry, landlord of The Kite, said: "She is barred as long as I am in this pub. There is no way I want this woman here."