Politicians want to kill off their own council

Voters often complain that politicians fail to keep their election pledges. But one town council is living up to its promise - and trying to abolish itself.

The Abolish Bury Council party won a majority in this month's elections to Bury St Edmunds Town Council in Suffolk.

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The council, which was established following a referendum four years ago, costs taxpayers £186,000 a year.

Of that, £170,000 goes on salaries, pensions and premises.

Roy Bebbington, leader of Abolish Bury Council, said: "People consider the town council to be ineffective, unnecessary and a total waste of taxpayers' money.

"We have been given the mandate by the public to do whatever is necessary to close it down."

Some 15,000 of the town's 27,000 voters turned out in the poll - and 9,000 backed the abolitionists. Labour and the Conservatives kept just seven seats between them.

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Police may be asked to attend the first meeting of the new-look council on Wednesday.

Town clerk Linda Sherer, who is paid £44,000 a year, said she was "worried there may be trouble".