A man chosen by electors to serve on Witney Town Council just three weeks ago has been voted out without even attending a meeting.

Dr David Morton, of Madley Park, was returned as a Liberal Democrat councillor for the town's east ward at elections on May 1.

But he failed to sign a declaration of acceptance form and at the first meeting of the new council last Wednesday, he was stripped of office.

A by-election may now be held if ten voters in the ward call for one.

Dr Morton told Steve Holborough, leader of the Lib Dem group, that he would not be able to make the meeting but would sign his declaration papers beforehand.

Mr Holborough said Dr Morton failed to do that and, despite repeated efforts to contact him by telephone and e-mail, he gave no explanation until last Friday.

Dr Morton then told Mr Hanborough he needed to travel to be with his mother in Cornwall, following the recent death of his father.

A large Conservative majority on the council was wiped out at the election, leaving them with eight seats, the Liberal Democrats with seven seats and the Independents two.

At the first meeting members agreed that Dr Morton had failed to take up his seat and they decided to advertise the position.

The town's new Conservative mayor, David Harvey, said: "I am sorry that Dr Morton was unable to take up his position on the council and I hope he will be able to come up with a satisfactory reason or excuse.

Mr Holborough said: "A councillor has to sign before or at the first meeting, though there is some scope to extend it, but the council decided not to. David canvassed and campaigned. I was aware he could not make the first meeting.

"He phoned the town clerk to ask what the office hours were so he could sign his papers. I had no idea until the meeting he had not signed them.

"I had tried to contact him on the telephone and by e-mail.

"If there is a by-election, we will fight it again."

Dr Morton was not available for comment.